CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4

I was behind the counter, half-listening to the hum of the fluorescent lights and half-scanning the store. Most customers were boring—first a man buying a pack of cigarettes, then another grabbing an energy drink. I rang them up quickly, said the usual lines, and watched them leave.

Then the bell chimed again, softer this time, and I looked up.

A woman stepped inside, drawing my attention immediately. Her clothes were... well, revealing, the kind that left little to the imagination—a tight crop top that barely covered her chest and a short skirt that hugged every curve. Her high heels clicked as she walked toward the snack aisle, scanning the shelves. She paused and picked up a single cracker, holding it delicately in her manicured fingers.

I rang up the item, scanning the barcode, and then the floating box appeared in front of me again, almost like it had a mind of its own:

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Daily Task Progress:

Compliment 5 women

Reward: 32 XP

Current: 0/5

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I swallowed hard and forced a nervous smile, feeling sweat bead on my forehead.

"I... really like your high heels," I said, voice slightly awkward. "My sister had the same ones. Fits really well."

Her half-lidded eyes glanced down at her feet. "Oh... yeah. Thanks," she murmured, voice soft, almost teasing.

"Mm-hmm..." I mumbled, shifting my weight and wiping sweat from my brow.

She gave a small smile. "Well... see you."

The floating box shimmered again, confirming my awkward victory:

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Daily Task Progress:

Compliment 5 women

Reward: 32 XP

Current: 1/5

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"That was it?" I muttered to myself. "I thought she’d freak out... damn. When was the last time I struck up a small conversation with a girl other than Jasmine?"

Customers came and went, and I went through the motions, scanning items, punching numbers, making the usual small talk. Whenever a woman came in, I forced myself to compliment something trivial—her shoes, her bag, the way she smiled. Each time, I saw the floating box blink, confirming the progress, little notifications lighting up in my peripheral vision.

An hour passed. The box showed:

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Daily Task Progress:

Compliment 5 women

Reward: 32 XP

Current: 4/5

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One more customer, and the task would finally be done. I let out a small sigh, already feeling relief.

And then the door chimed.

My blood ran cold. Long blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, flawless skin that looked almost unreal... she was back. The girl who had... ripped out my eye. My body tensed instinctively, every muscle coiling. That wasn’t a nightmare—but reality. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

She smiled, walking casually up to the counter.

"Mint cigarette, please."

"You..." I muttered, staring. "That wasn’t a dream. You..."

"Ate your eyeball?" she asked casually, tilting her head. "Yeah. It was bitter."

"What did you do to me?"

"Nothing," she said, smiling, almost amused. "Just having fun. Is that illegal?"

"You..."

"Mint cigarette, please."

I swallowed hard, forcing my trembling hands to grab the pack she wanted. I scanned it, slid it across the counter. She placed the money down, and I dropped it into the register, my eyes fixed on her, half fear, half anger.

"Just one more girl. And you’ll get the task done," she said, opening the pack like it was nothing. "Come on. Compliment me."

"What?"

"Are you deaf?" she asked, smiling. "Come on. Compliment me."

She could see the floating boxes, the stats, the task... That meant this wasn’t a hallucination. This wasn’t a dream. This was real.

I forced myself to speak. "You... look... good."

"Why, thank you," she chirped. "I changed my hairstyle a bit. You liked it?"

"Yes..." I said, my voice tight with fear and hesitation. "I do."

The floating box blinked aggressively, confirming the final step:

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Daily Task Completed!

Reward: Choose one chest:

[?] [?] [?]

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I exhaled, my focus snapping back from the UI. I blinked—and she was gone. Just like that.

Damn it. What the hell was this?

I stared at the three chests on the screen for a long moment, sweat dripping down my forehead, hands trembling. My heart was still racing from the blonde girl and the tension of finishing the task.

Finally, I reached out—or rather, willed myself to choose—and selected the chest in the middle.

The chest clicked open, and an image flickered to life inside: a silver coin with a woman’s face embossed on it. Text shimmered beneath the image: 50c.

I blinked and read it aloud, voice incredulous. "50c... 50 credit? "What... the hell?" I muttered, leaning closer to the floating box, my mind spinning.

And then the screen shifted, transitioning into a full main menu. It floated in front of me, clean and simple:

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EVAN MARLOWE

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Stats Shop

Crafting Inventory

Quests Women

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I exhaled slowly, shaking my head. "Yeah... okay, that’s... real. I’m actually seeing this." I ran a hand through my hair, still trying to convince myself I wasn’t hallucinating. "50 credits for a coin... whatever the hell that means."

Curiosity got the better of me. I lifted my index finger and tentatively tapped the Shop option.

To my surprise, the floating menu responded immediately, as if it could feel my touch. My finger hadn’t even pressed anything—yet the screen reacted, flickering and opening a new UI in front of me.

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SHOP

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• Aphrodisiac Drink (10c)

• Silk Lingerie Set (25c)

• Sensual Massage Oil (15c)

• Mystery Pleasure Toy (30c)

• Flirt Potion (20c)

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Credits: 50c

Select item to purchase

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*New items will appear as you level up*

The rest of the night passed in a blur of routine. Customers came and went, some leaving with small smiles, others indifferent, and the neon glow outside gradually dimmed as the city quieted. After my shift ended, I walked back toward my apartment, the streets mostly empty now, only the distant hum of traffic and the occasional shout breaking the silence.

I reached the door to my building and started fumbling with my keys. The cold metal slipped in my hand as I cursed under my breath.

Then the door swung open from next door. Jasmine stood there, holding a plate carefully in her hands. A small cake rested on it. My eyes flicked to the clock on the wall: one o’clock. Surprising she was awake at this hour.

She was wearing an oversized t-shirt that barely reached the tops of her thighs. Nothing underneath. The fabric hung loose over her body, yet still teased the curve of her panties beneath.

"Hey," she said, smiling softly. "The cake turned out edible, so here you go." She said.

I nodded, awkwardly. "Thanks... uh, nice surprise."

She rubbed at her lower back, wincing slightly. "Man... my back is killing me."

I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, you said the same thing this morning. What happened?"

Jasmine’s cheeks colored faintly. "A customer... went a little wild. Tried a new position, and let’s just say... my back is paying the price."

I froze for a split second, memories of the shop flashing in my mind. Then, out of nowhere, the floating shop UI blinked before me again. My eyes landed on Sensual Massage Oil.

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SHOP

-------------------------

• Aphrodisiac Drink (10c)

• Silk Lingerie Set (25c)

• Sensual Massage Oil (15c)

• Mystery Pleasure Toy (30c)

• Flirt Potion (20c)

-------------------------

Credits: 50c

Select item to purchase

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I could actually try that oil and see what it would do... if this whole shop thing was real. And, honestly, I kinda wanted to see her up close. Her body was smoking hot—the way her tits bounced with every step because she refused to wear a bra... Damn. I was getting hard just thinking about it. I had to calm myself down, or I’d pop a boner right there.

"I, uh... know a thing or two about massaging, if you believe it," I stammered. "If... I mean, if it’s okay with you, I can massage you. For the cake, though—don’t get me wrong."

Her eyes widened in surprise, then she nodded slowly. "If any other guy came to me with a deal like that, I’d assume he’s just some horny dog. But... when it’s you? I think I kinda trust you."

"Oh... thanks," I mumbled, feeling my face heat up.

"Yeah. I mean... what would a virgin do, right?"

"H-hey..." I flushed harder. "Come on. Don’t be like that."

"Fine, fine. Come in?"

"I... gotta change first. Be there in five. That work?"

"Yep."

We exchanged an awkward smile, and I stepped inside my apartment. Fuck. I’d done it now. Why the hell had I offered a massage? I’d never given one to anyone before. I was screwed. No way, no way, no way. I could cancel—maybe tell her I hurt my hand, or just ignore her and continue with my life. Damn it.

I dropped my backpack on the floor and went into the bathroom to wash my hands, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Well... she wasn’t wrong about me being a virgin. Twenty-one and never even kissed a woman. Damn, I was pathetic.

"Okay..." I muttered to myself, voice tight. "What are you going to do now, you idiot?"