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2024-10-29 19:42:56As Zack waits for customers, his eyes land on the screen of a muted television mounted in the corner. A news anchor is interviewing a man who’d risen from obscurity to tech stardom.
The man sits confidently in a plush armchair, his posture exuding success and power. His designer suit fit his toned frame perfectly, and his expensive watch glints in the studio lights. His face is smooth and clean-shaven, with perfect teeth and a strong jawline. He looks like the epitome of a successful man.
Zack moves to it and turns the volume up.
The man speaks with a clear and articulate voice, his words precise and calculated. He speaks of terms like “disruptive technology” and “market domination” with ease. The interviewer’s questions are met with quick responses and occasional bursts of laughter, showcasing the man’s charismatic personality. In the background, there is the sound of applause from the audience, indicating the level of admiration for the rising tech star.
“Oh, that’s Mr. Leon. He’s pretty famous on social media because of how good-looking he is. Not to mention, wealthy.”
Zack turns towards the voice and sees Mason watching the interview with him.
“Hey, there!” Mason greets, smiling. “I’m done with my exams. It seems like I will finally graduate this year.”
“That’s good news,” he replies.
“So? Will Celeste join?”
“No, but she allowed you to come visit.”
Mason takes a deep breath. “But well, at least we can party tonight.”
“In my room. Celeste doesn’t like noise.”
“I remember,” he says.
They both turn their attention back to the interview on the television screen. The host is now asking about his love life.
Zack can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy as he watches the confident and successful man on screen. He wonders what it would feel like to have everything handed to him on a silver platter — looks, money, success — instead of struggling every day just to make ends meet, and even failing to do it.
“I fell in love once,” Mr. Leon replies. “But it was unrequited.”
“Oh, the great Mr. Leon has been rejected?” the host asks, leaning forward with interest. “How did you handle it?”
Mr. Leon takes a moment to collect his thoughts before answering. “At first, I was devastated,” he admits. “But then I realized that sometimes, things just don’t work out, no matter how much you want them to.”
“Did your heartbreak inspire any of your innovations?” the host asks.
Mr. Leon chuckles. “Well, let’s just say that my focus and determination were definitely heightened after that experience.”
Zack can’t shake off the feeling of envy. It settles in his chest as he watches Mr. Leon’s success and charm on display.
It’s not fair, he thinks to himself. Why does everything come so easily to some people while others have to struggle just to get by?
“Earth to Zack!” Mason snaps his fingers in front of Zack’s face, bringing him back to reality.
“Yeah?” Zack blinks and shakes off his thoughts again.
“What time are we going to meet later?”
“Around eight maybe? I will text Celeste.”
“Okay! It will be a sleep-over.”
“Okay, see you.”
“See you,” Mason responds.
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Zack is in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for dinner while Celeste works on her laptop at the dining table. The aroma of sizzling stir-fry fills the air, making his stomach growl in anticipation.Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door. Zack looks up from his cutting board and glances at the wall clock — it’s only 7:30. Mason is early.But before he can take a towel to wipe his hands, Celeste stands up and says, “It’s just Mason, right? I will get it.”He hears her footsteps approaching the door. He then hears Mason’s charming voice greeting Celeste as she opens the door. “Hey beautiful,” he says with a smile.Zack rolls his eyes and focuses on tossing the vegetables into the pan. He can hear them talking in the living room, but Celeste is deadpan, making it clear that she’s not interested in him.Mason saunters into the kitchen, carrying a few grocery bags, while Celeste returns to her work.“Hey, man!” he greets with a wide smile. “I brought some snacks and beers. Some food for break
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Zack scans another bag of off-brand potato chips, while his mind is on Mason’s mood last night and the following morning.“Two seventy-nine,” Zack murmurs, without looking up at the customer.There is music of some famous artist singing in the background. The song might be well-received by QuickFix customers, but not him. It sounds like an ode while he is on his way to purgatory.He groans, shaking his head with all his thoughts.The chime above QuickFix’s entrance resounds again and Zack raises his head towards it. Four men saunter in and he feels anxious at the way they look. He glances at the back of the shop and realizes that the manager is out to have a quick supply run.“Hello there, cashier boy,” the largest of them greets. He has a grin that doesn’t reach his cold eyes. He is also sporting a scar that runs like a fault line across his cheek.“Good day! Welcome to QuickFix! How can I help you today?” he asks, glancing at his companions who are less intimidating but are also exud
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“You are a fucking disgrace!” Zack’s boss scolds him again a day after the robbing event. “Can’t you even handle a few lowlifes without making a mess of my store!?!”Zack purses his lips and wishes that his boss’ voice cannot be heard outside. Thankfully, when he came home last night, Celeste was still out and when he left for work, she was still sleeping. Hopefully, that setup will continue until his wounds heal.“Just one more mistake, and I will fire you!”Zack nods, checking his emotions, and ensures that he won’t make that mistake very soon.“For all these damages, I will take them off your salary!”Zack raises his head at him. He can’t do that! He needs the money for his sisters’ educational needs. That’s the reason he stopped studying. If they deduct every damage that happens in the store from his salary, then he will never earn a dime! Dropping out of college will be useless!“But sir, my monthly salary cannot even cover for all the damages yesterday.”“Then I will take it from
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The door of the storeroom opens and Mr. Thompson gets out. “Hey, Zack, I will be back in an hour,” he informs. “Don’t make any mistake again!”Zack nods and watches as Mr. Thompson leaves the store.“Damn, your boss is still so antsy. You should look for a new job.”“As if it’s easy to find a job with my qualifications.”As Sophia makes her way back to the counter with a basket full of items, Zack can’t help but look at her. She really looks perfect, beautiful and curvaceous. Her face is like that of an angel.“Hey guys,” Sophia greets them with a smile as she places the items on the counter. “What are you talking about?”“What do you think of our campus?” Mason asks, trying to steer the conversation away from sensitive topics.“It’s amazing,” Sophia gushes. “The buildings are becoming so modern and the atmosphere feels so alive.”“I’m glad you are enjoying it,” Zack says politely while ringing up her purchases.Mason places his arms on Sophia’s shoulders and invites her to the back of
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Zack stands outside the store, still reeling from an encounter with Mason and Sophia. He can’t believe what he just witnessed — his ex-crush openly admitting to cheating on his boyfriend and showing no remorse for it. And Mason, who has already given up on Celeste and is now fucking a cheater and a whore.His mind is racing with questions. How can Mason do this? Is he really that desperate for Celeste’s attention?But as Zack continues to mull over the situation, a loud commotion from inside the storage room snaps him back to reality. He rushes in, only to see a furious Mr. Thompson.“What’s going on?” he asks breathlessly.“You think I won’t find out?!” he yells at Zack. “You think you can get away with this?!”Zack’s heart drops. He looks around frantically, trying to figure out what he is angry about. Did he forget to arrange something? Any missing stocks, perhaps?“What is it?” Zack asks, his voice trembling.Mr. Thompson storms towards him, his face red with fury. “I can’t believe
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It is a hot day as Zack lies on his bed and stares at the ceiling, doing and thinking nothing. Suddenly, his phone buzzes. He automatically picks it up, thinking that it’s Mason, and starts the call.“Mason?”“Brother? Zack?” she starts, her voice trembling. It is his sister, Trina.“Hi, Trina, how are you?” he asks.“Zack, thank god! I finally reached you!”He scratches his head. For the past few days, he is not answering any calls from them. He knows what they want — more money. And it is something he doesn’t have. He doesn’t even know how to survive the following weeks. He tried to look for work, but none were asking him to come for an interview.“Zack, are you still there?” she asks.“Yes, I am still here.”“My tuition is due, and if it’s unpaid, I won’t be able to graduate.”His gaze sweeps across his tiny room. What can he even do? He can’t even fend for himself.“The fees are due next week, Zack,” she continues, her voice filled with desperation. “If I don’t pay, I can’t take my
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Zack scratches his head as he stares at the emails on the computer that Celeste allows him to borrow. His eyes scan through dozens of rejection emails, each one a punch to his gut. He rubs his temples, trying to ease the tension building up.He glances at his tattered leather wallet and takes another heavy sigh. His phone lights up and he reads the message from Trina. It is the amount of tuition he needs to pay and how to pay it. And now, his situation presses him down further, making it hard to breathe.Feeling defeated, Zack continues to search for job posts, his desperation creeping in. Finally, he comes across an advertisement for an online loan facility. He hesitates for a moment, but then clicks on the link. Maybe this is his last chance to make enough money to pay his tuition and survive until Celeste arrives and he can look for a new job.“Hello, Borrower,” a flashing marquee greets him as the website loads. “We’re here to help you with all your financial needs. What can we do
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“I will extend my vacation for a few more weeks.”Zack rereads Celeste’s text message for a hundred times. Since then, days have turned into weeks with no luck in finding a job. He stares at the overdue notice from the loan facility. His money is quickly depleting. He has been trying so hard to find a job, but it seems like every door is closing on him.“I can’t believe I missed the first payment,” he mutters to himself.He begins to feel desperate as he realizes that he won’t be able to pay next month as well, if he won’t get a job soon.He sits on the couch and stares blankly at the TV, trying to distract himself from all his worries. Suddenly, there’s a sound coming from the door. Zack gets up just in time to find Celeste standing there with a big smile on her face.“Hey Zack!” she exclaims, holding up a shopping bag filled with goodies. “I’m back from vacation!”Zack forces a smile. Seeing her again, he feels relieved, but at the same time, he feels annoyed.“That’s great,” he mutt
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Then Zack notices something else as well. At the man’s head, there are small horns protruding from his forehead. No, not just any horns. They are black and twisted and seem to pulse with an otherworldly energy.And so he grips his katana tighter, trying to steady his trembling hands. He knows that this will not be an easy fight, but he also knows that he cannot back down either.“What are you?” Zack manages to ask, his voice shaking slightly.The dark mage chuckles. “I am a human and a dark mage,” he declares proudly. “I think you know that by now, given how you are looking at me.”“Then… how are you affiliated with the loan agency?!”“Ah, that? Well, I get my fresh supplies of humans to experiment on from them.”“What kind of experiments?” Zack demands, his grip on his katana tightening even more.The dark mage chuckles, a sinister gleam in his eyes.
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Zack takes a deep breath and tries to calm his nerves. He knows he’s no match for this level 32 woman, but he refuses to back down. He grips his katana tightly and prepares for the fight ahead.The woman rushes towards him with surprising speed, her fists clenched and ready to strike. Zack quickly evades her punches and tries to strike back with his katana, but she dodges effortlessly.“You’ll have to do better than that,” she taunts, her voice filled with confidence.Zack grits his teeth and tries to think of a strategy. He knows that he can’t rely on brute force alone, so he decides to use some of his skills. He concentrates and activates his Power Strike. But she easily deflects it with a flick of her knife.“Not bad,” she comments as she continues to dodge Zack’s attacks. “But you still need more.”Zack’s frustration builds within him as he realizes that none of his skills are wo
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Zack takes out the katana from his weapon storage. Holding the weapon in his right hand, he pushes open the door with his left.In the middle of the room, a man stands before him who is eyeing him warily. “An attack, huh?”Zack places the katana in front of him. “It might be,” he answers.“But why is there only a single person? Are you crazy?”“The others asked the same earlier.”“This place. Is this your doing, too?”“No,” he admits.“You have a weapon. Do you know how to use that?”“We’ll find out.”Zack keeps his guard up as the man suddenly lunges at him with his bare hands. He swiftly dodges the attack and counters with a slice from his katana.The man stumbles back, surprised by Zack. “Ugh, where are my gun and knife, anyway?” he mutters to himself.The man attacks again, but Zack is faste
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Zack steps inside. The place behind the fourth door is dark and musty, with only a small beam of light shining through a crack in the ceiling. In front of him is an old man who seems lost and is looking around.The instant Zack enters, he looks at him.“A young man,” he remarks. “Care to tell me where I am and who you are?”“I am sent to destroy a loan shark agency,” he admits.“Oh,” the old man says, looking up at him. “So, you’re here to defeat me.”“You?”“Are you hesitating because of my age?”Zack swallows. He doesn’t want a repeat of the zombie dungeon. He doesn’t enjoy hurting the elders.While he is hesitating, the old man takes his stance and prepares for battle.“I really—”Suddenly, the old man moves surprisingly fast for someone his age. He launches punches and kicks towards Zack. Thankfully, he has a Quick Dodge, and he is able to evade each surprise attack.“You’re good,” the old man comments as they circle each other. “But can you keep up?”Their movements become faster
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Zack opens the Zenith system interface. He presses on the Level Up? text and sees that he only gained one level from completing the first floor. He also only earned eight chests and a hundred thousand zeniths. It feels weird. This is a loan agency, and he is earning fewer zeniths than the zombie dungeon? So, he proceeds to open the items instead, hoping that there are some good items in there. However, there are only four health potions, one ability point, and the rest are zeniths. Disappointed, he stands up. He searches for the staircase and ascends it. He pushes the door open and is met with a line of goons on the second floor. Zack swallows hard. Unlike the goons on the first floor. These people are tall and very muscular. They look as if every single one of them is a VIP bodyguard. He won’t even be surprised if they are using guns. On the other hand, he has the same strength as the first floor. He hasn’t moved his available skill points into his stats yet. Hopefully, they only
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The sun is setting as Zack goes back and forth across the same street where he chances upon the zombie dungeon. However, nothing is changing. It has the same atmosphere, the same clean looking building, and the same living people. No zombie dungeon is opening up! Disappointment washes over him. He prioritizes increasing his Luck attribute all because of this particular problem. His health is at 200/200 and he feels more than ready for a mission, and yet, it is not appearing! He looks at the time. It is close to six PM. He still has time. So, he explores the area again, looking for any clues or signs on how to enter that dungeon. As he walks down the busy street, Zack’s ears pick up on a loud argument coming from an alleyway between two buildings. Curious, he turns the corner to investigate. A group of men have another man backed against a wall, their voices filled with malice. One of the men spots him and sneers, “Beat it, kid.” Ignoring the warning, Zack steps forward and holds h
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Zack wakes up with his stomach growling. He groans as he stretches his aching muscles, still feeling drained from his stay in that zombie dungeon. He slowly pushes himself out of bed and stumbles towards the kitchen. His health has regenerated, and it’s no longer decreasing. As he rummages through the cabinets and fridge, looking for something to eat, he hears Celeste’s voice coming from the living room. “You really need to take a bath, Zack,” she says. “How long did I sleep?” he asks. “I don’t know. I didn’t see you for a few days. But you smell terrible,” she remarks. Zack feels heat rising to his cheeks as he realizes that he must have smelled pretty bad after days without bathing. He’s just too hungry. In fact, he didn’t even notice Celeste when he passed through the living room earlier. “That bad, huh?” he asks, peeking from the kitchen and into the living room, where Celeste has her laptop on. She peers through her eyeglasses and nods. “Pretty bad,” she says, scrunching h
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“AHHHHH!” Zack screams, trying to get courage and curb the pain from all the screaming. The time is ticking. Only five minutes remain and he is still sandwiched between the giant zombie and a wall of a house. ‘I need to kill it…’ he thinks to himself. Zack’s adrenaline kicks in as he tightens his grip on the longsword. He activates his Power Strike skill and uses all his remaining strength to pierce through the giant zombie’s skull. The longsword cracks and disintegrates into pieces, but not before delivering a fatal blow to the giant zombie. The giant zombie lets out a final roar before collapsing onto the ground, lifeless. Zack takes deep breaths, feeling exhaustion wash over him. The timer disappears, indicating that he has completed the task just in time. “Task Completed.” “Title Unlocked. You are now a Zombie Hunter.” “Weapon Storage Unlocked.” He wants to laugh at the absurdity of the rewards. What’s the use of a title? And now that his longsword has disintegrated, he ha
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Zack heaves as he wipes the sweat off his forehead. He doesn’t know how many hours have passed since he pressed that YES prompt to continue defeating zombies. Thankfully, when he increased his Luck to 10. There are no more zombies of babies and young kids that appeared. He glances at the notifications in front of him. There are ten prompts about chests that are almost obscuring his vision. Earlier, he was making count of how often these chests appear and he realized that for a group of ten defeated zombies, there is a chance for at least one chest to appear. Then another notification appears about his Low health. Now, he’s on 5/100, almost dying. Instead of pressing the Level Up? text screen. He starts opening the chests instead, hoping that it contains one or two potions. Besides, potions in the shop are too expensive for him. One health potion in particular is around 200,000 zeniths. A longsword costs two million, while a katana amounts to four million zeniths! After opening the t
