My phone buzzes again with more messages from the family group chat, probably Selene finding new and creative ways to mess with me, but I ignore it for now. Instead, I do something I haven't done in a while: I mentally pull up my status menu.
The familiar translucent screen materializes in my vision, and—
"Holy moly."
I actually stop walking for a second, standing there on the sidewalk like an idiot, staring at numbers that look like they belong to a completely different person.
Adam Gray
Age: 18 | Height: 5'2"
Dick Size: 3.5 inches (flaccid), 5 inches (erect)
Current Occupation: Student, Part-Timer at Midnight Café
Inventory
Minor Shop Voucher [Appearance]
Evolution Points: 8
Attributes
Appearance: 7 → 12
Charm: 8 → 13
Strength: 8 → 9
Dexterity: 8 → 9
Endurance: 7 → 10
Willpower: 24 → 25
Intelligence: 26 → 27
Active Skills
N/A
Passive Skills
Expert Programmer (+50% efficiency while programming)
+ Novice Cook (+10% effectiveness while cooking)
Perks
Genius Intellect (+50% effectiveness for all intelligence-based activities)
Training Enthusiast (+10% Workout Efficiency) → Training Adept (+30% Workout Efficiency)
+ Increased Training Effectiveness (+10% Workout Efficiency)
"Holy moly," I mutter again, resuming my walk but at a significantly slower pace. "Look at those stats."
I'm... I'm literally unrecognizable from the guy I was a month ago.
My appearance went from seven to... twelve? What does twelve even mean? Is that good? It feels good. It's definitely better than seven.
I need empirical evidence. Science demands it.
I switch my phone to selfie mode, angle it to catch the streetlight, and—
Wow.
I'm... I'm not that ugly anymore.
No, seriously. The guy staring back at me from the screen is... slightly above average? Under the right lighting and with favorable angles, I might even be considered… cute? Which is insane because "cute" and "Adam Gray" are two concepts that have never shared the same sentence unless that sentence was "Adam Gray is the opposite of cute."
My acne is completely gone. Like, completely. Not a single pimple. My skin isn't flawless or anything, I'm not suddenly an Instagram model, but it's pretty damn good, my skin actually looks healthy. When did that happen?
And I'm not overweight anymore. I mean, I don't have the body of a Greek god or anything, I'm not about to pose for marble sculptures, but I'd describe myself as fairly average now.
Well, okay, I still have a tiny bit of chub. Actually, I have quite a bit of chub if I'm being honest. But when I flex, there are hints of actual muscle showing through, which is wild. A month ago, the only thing showing through when I flexed was more chub.
My eyes drift to the physical stats, and I can't help but grin. Strength and Dexterity are both at 9, tantalizingly close to hitting 10. I'm so close to those stat increases, I can feel it.
My endurance, though? That's improved the most out of all my physical stats. Which makes sense when I think about it: I go on daily runs, and I spend hours at the café moving around quickly, constantly on my feet. I'm basically training endurance all day, every day.
Then there's my charm, which has somehow skyrocketed from 8 to 13. Thirteen! I don't really feel as worried about social interaction anymore. I mean, when you've embarrassed yourself in front of crowds of people as often as I have over the past two weeks, holding a conversation with a random stranger doesn't feel as daunting.
I also carry myself better now. I stand straighter, I make eye contact, and I smile at people. Who knew that not walking like a question mark would improve how people perceive you?
My willpower and intelligence ticked up too, which is interesting because I don't really know why. Maybe my willpower increased because I've been keeping up with my routine? It's been almost a month of getting up early, doing my workout, going on my run, applying my skincare religiously, and not giving up even when every fiber of my being wants to stay in bed. I suppose that takes a bit of willpower.
And intelligence... I did recently solve a particularly tricky bug in my side project. Maybe that was it?
I look down at my Passive Skills section. Oh, right, apparently I'm a Novice Cook now.
I guess making breakfast for myself every day has paid off. Though if I'm considered a novice cook now, I can only imagine what level Bianca and Fiona are at. Divine chefs? Culinary goddesses? They can make a gourmet meal out of random leftovers and sheer force of will.
Oh, and I spent 25 evolution points, a significant chunk of my savings, to upgrade Training Enthusiast to Training Adept. The efficiency bonus jumped from 10% to 30%, which is huge. More gains equals more good, right? Especially with the new quest I unlocked.
Speaking of which...
I pull up my quest log.
Available Quests:
+ Daily Routine - Keep up your daily routine! - [??? Evolution Point(s)]
Join a Club! - If the club looked interesting, try to participate! - [2 Evolution Points]
Get Closer to a Friend! (4/5) - You made your first friend! That's great! Really! Now, you get to enjoy their company! - [10 Evolution Points]
Find a Part-Time Job! - Must be service-related! (One month minimum) - [10 Evolution Points]
From Rags to Average - Get every physical stat up to 10! - [100 Evolution Points]
Making Money (3,281/10,000) - Money doesn't buy you happiness… But it sure can buy nice things! - [10 Evolution Points]
The Daily Routine quest appeared after I finished both Acne III and Workout III, and honestly? It's been a game-changer. Let me pull up the full description because this thing deserves appreciation.
Daily Routine - Continuous Quest
Description: You've been doing fantastic, Adam! Habits are not an easy thing to form, most people give up after a few days, but you? You've stuck with this for almost a month now! That's genuinely impressive! But here's the thing about habits: life loves to throw curveballs. You'll have busy days, exhausting days, days where your bed feels like it's magnetically pulling you back in. During those times, it's especially important to maintain your routine, even if it's scaled back. Can't do a full workout? Do ten push-ups. Can't run 5 km? Jog for ten minutes. The goal isn't perfection, it's consistency. Your daily habits should be so ingrained that it's not something you think about doing: it's just a part of who you are.
Quest Details:
Keep up your daily routine
An additional reward will be given after 30 continuous days of successfully completing your daily routine
Quest Progress:
Daily routines completed [4/30]
Quest Rewards:
??? Evolution Point(s) (Awarded daily upon completion. The amount awarded is determined based on the quality of your daily routine)
??? (Special reward unlocked after 30 consecutive days)
From this quest, I've been getting two evolution points daily.
Daily.
That's... that's insane. That's fourteen points a week. At that rate, I could increase my dick size by an inch every five days if I wanted to. Not that I'm planning to do that… okay, maybe I'm planning to do that a little bit…
Anyways, maybe I could actually start affording some of those vanity upgrades I've been eyeing in the shop. Height increase? Better facial structure? The world is my oyster.
The description also mentions that the reward is based on the "quality" of my routine, which means if I push myself harder, I might get even more points. So theoretically: more muscles = harder workouts = more evolution points = I'm happy. It's basic math, really.
Also, there's a mystery reward after 30 consecutive days. The system sure loves its mystery rewards.
I move on to the next quest that's been nagging at me: Join a Club.
Join a Club!
Description: Humans are social creatures, Adam. One of humanity's greatest strengths has always been cooperation. Clubs aren't just about padding your college applications, they're about working with like-minded people toward shared goals, learning from others who are passionate about the same things you are, and maybe, just maybe, making some friends along the way. Plus, collaboration teaches you things you'd never figure out alone. Give it a real shot!
Quest Details:
Join a club
Learn the names of five club members
Offer help to three members of the club
Ask for help from three members of the club
Accomplish something significant in the club
Help someone else accomplish something significant
Quest Progress:
Club joined: 0/1
Club members' names learned: 1/5
Times you've offered help: 1/3
Times you've asked for help: 1/3
Your significant accomplishments: 0/1
Accomplishments you've helped others achieve: 0/1
Quest Rewards:
2 Evolution Points
I wrinkle my nose. Two evolution points seems like kind of a pitiful reward for doing all that. Learn five names, offer help three times, ask for help three times, accomplish something significant and help someone else accomplish something significant?
Then again, I was planning to spend more time at the Computer Science Club anyway. Luna is adorable and fun to talk to, and I genuinely enjoy hanging out with her. So I guess I'll knock out this quest naturally. It's not like I'll be going out of my way.
Still, two evolution points for all that work. The system is kind of stingy sometimes.
Then there's the big one. The quest I'm so close to finishing.
From Rags to Average
Description: Let's be real, being fit isn't just about looking good (though that's a nice bonus). It's about freedom. The freedom to run without getting winded. The freedom to move your body with confidence and control. The freedom to do a backflip just because you can, or play sports without embarrassing yourself, or participate in... other physical activities 😏 without needing a five-minute break. Your body is the one vehicle you're stuck with for your entire life, so let's get it running smoothly!
Quest Details:
Raise your Strength attribute to 10
Raise your Dexterity attribute to 10
Raise your Endurance attribute to 10
Quest Progress:
Strength [9/10]
Dexterity [9/10]
Endurance [10/10]
Quest Rewards:
100 Evolution Points
Body Enhancement: Optimized Body (All workouts become more effective; much faster recovery from fatigue)
"Other physical activities," I mutter, rolling my eyes even though no one can see me. The little winky emoji really drives it home. "I don't know why this whole system feels so... perverted."
I mean, I don't mind it. The insinuation definitely motivates me, not gonna lie about that.
But holy shit, that reward. Optimized Body. All workouts become more effective, and much faster recovery from fatigue? That's insane! That sounds like something straight out of a murim novel. That's cultivation-level bullshit. That's the kind of thing protagonists get before they start punching through mountains and catching swords with their bare hands.
Faster recovery from fatigue? More effective workouts? This is... this is going to make everything so much easier. I'll be able to work out harder, recover faster, and get even better results. It's a snowball effect. A beautiful, muscular snowball effect.
I might need to build a shrine to whoever made this thing.
"😊"
The system responds with a little emoji, and I can't help but chuckle. "You've been using a lot of emojis recently," I whisper to myself.
I feel genuinely fond of the system. It's been incredibly helpful, constantly reassuring and motivating me. It's like having a supportive friend who also happens to be able to grant wishes. Best of both worlds.
Finally, I check out the "Making Money" quest:
Making Money (3,281/10,000)
Description: I've noticed how much stress your mom carries, Adam. She works so hard to provide for you and your sisters, and I can see how much that weighs on you. Here's the truth: money can't buy happiness, and it definitely shouldn't be your ultimate goal in life. But financial stability? That's different. Not having to worry about rent or wondering if you can afford groceries removes a huge source of anxiety and frees you up to focus on what actually matters. You're already making great progress! Let's help lighten your mom's load while building your own independence.
Quest Details:
Accumulate $10,000 in your personal bank account
Quest Progress:
Bank balance [$3,281/10,000]
Quest Rewards:
10 Evolution Points
Perk: Novice Businessman (Improves negotiation skills in financial matters by 10%)
Yeah. I agree with the system on this one.
I want to help out my family. Not just with small things, like buying plates when we need them, paying my own share whenever there's a school trip, or picking up the occasional grocery run. I want to do something more impactful. Something meaningful.
Maybe buy furniture that doesn't creak ominously when you sit on it. Or pay for part of a mortgage on a larger house. A newer house. One that doesn't make concerning noises when the wind picks up and where the walls aren't peeling like a bad sunburn.
Mom works so hard. Too hard. And I can see it wearing on her, even when she tries to hide it behind that warm smile of hers. If I can take even a little bit of that weight off her shoulders, it'll be worth every hour I spend at the café getting yelled at by rude customers.
I close the system interface and start walking again, my mind buzzing with all this information.
One month ago, I was a walking disaster. Acne-covered, out of shape, socially awkward, invisible to basically everyone except bullies.
Now? I'm still short. I'm still kind of chubby. I'm still nowhere near the level of guys like Luke King, who looks like he was personally sculpted by Renaissance artists with a vendetta against average-looking people.
But I'm better. Noticeably better.
My phone buzzes again, pulling me out of my thoughts. I check the group chat.
Selene:seriously though good job adam
Selene:u r working so hard
Selene:im so proud i might cry 😭
Bianca:don't be dramatic
Selene:IM ALLOWED TO BE EMOTIONAL
Selene:MY LITTLE BROTHER IS GROWING UP
Mom:We're all very proud of you, sweetie! 💚
Me:Thanks guys. Also Selene I'm literally two months younger than you.
Selene:BABY BROTHER
Selene:TINY BABY
Bianca:she's not going to stop
Me:Yeah, I figured.
I pocket my phone, grinning like an idiot. I pick up my pace, practically jogging now, excited to get home and see everyone.
I push through the front door, and I'm immediately hit with the smell of something delicious wafting from the kitchen. Mom must have finished making dinner.
"I'm home!" I call out, slipping off my shoes.
"BABY BROTHER!" Selene shouts from the living room, because apparently she's committed to this bit now.
"I will smother you in your sleep," I reply cheerfully.
"Looking forward to it!"
I shake my head, grinning, and head inside.