The next morning, a subtle nervousness fluttered in Rui's chest as he stood before the tiny, chipped mirror above his bathroom sink. In his hand, or rather, shimmering before his eyes, was the second item from the system's nascent store:
[Skin & Glow Pack – 50 points]
Effect: Radiant skin, clearer eyes, boosted energy for 24 hours.
He hesitated, his gaze drifting from the glowing text to his own reflection – tired eyes, sallow complexion, the usual indicators of his relentless struggle. "Can I really trust this thing?" he muttered, the question a soft whisper in the quiet apartment. But the $50 now sitting undeniably in his digital wallet, proof of yesterday's first transaction, answered him. It wasn't a dream. This was real.
So, with a fortifying breath, he tapped [Use Now] on the translucent screen.
A sudden, warm shimmer washed over him, like liquid sunlight seeping into his very pores. It wasn't painful—more like a gentle, invigorating breeze brushing his skin, sinking deep into his bones. A strange, pleasant tingling spread from his scalp to his fingertips.
Ten seconds later, the system chimed, its voice a soft, confirming hum:
[Product Applied Successfully]
Rui blinked at his reflection… and then stared, utterly captivated.
The dullness that had perpetually clung to his features was gone. His skin was brighter, smoother, glowing with a healthy, vibrant tone he'd never seen on himself before. The perpetual shadows under his eyes had vanished, replaced by an astonishing clarity. His lips looked fuller, a natural, subtle rose hue, and his posture felt lighter, almost effortlessly straighter, imbued with an unfamiliar vitality.
Even his long, dark hair, usually heavy and unkempt, seemed to fall differently—less greasy, slightly tousled, catching the meager morning light as if styled by a professional. He ran a hand through it, feeling the unexpected softness.
He looked… stunning. Not like a different person, but like Rui, amplified. Sharper. More vibrant. Infinitely more alive.
"Whoa," he breathed, the single word inadequate to describe the transformation.
When Rui stepped into school, the effect was immediate. Heads turned.
At first, he didn't notice, his ingrained habit to slip through hallways like a shadow too strong. He moved with a newfound lightness, a subtle bounce in his step. But today, the whispers weren't just about the Elros event. They trailed behind him, growing louder, more direct.
"Is that… Rui?"
"No way, right?"
"He looks… kind of beautiful?"
Rui's uniform was the same worn fabric. His dark hair still habitually fell over one eye. But his skin glowed, radiating an inner light, and his gaze—more alert, more confident, utterly transformed—stopped people mid-sentence. Eyes lingered, startled.
Even the betas from the gang who used to harass him, their usual sneers locked and loaded, paused when he passed by them near the lockers. One of them muttered, a low growl, "What the hell happened to that omega freak?" The insult, usually a barb, felt strangely distant today. Rui simply kept walking, not breaking stride, a subtle, almost imperceptible tilt to his chin. Inside, his heart was racing with a nervous thrill, but outside—he looked like he owned the hallway.
That afternoon, students gathered in the auditorium again. Another event, another lecture, another sponsorship by Elros Corp. Rui hadn't expected Kian to grace the school with his presence so soon after yesterday's dramatic appearance.
But there Kian was—tall, impeccably crisp in a custom-tailored black suit, standing at the side of the stage, almost a statue of power and sophistication.
And this time, the moment Rui stepped through the auditorium doors, Kian's piercing eyes, like twin magnets, locked onto him. The intensity of that gaze was a physical weight.
Rui looked away instantly, his face heating up, a familiar blush creeping up his neck. The system pinged quietly, almost a gentle whisper in his mind:
[Task #2: Make Eye Contact With Kian – 10 points]
Rui swallowed, a nervous tremor going through him. He peeked up, unable to resist the pull. Their eyes met again, holding for a beat longer this time.
Kian tilted his head slightly, his gaze trailing over Rui's now radiant skin, his clearer eyes, his suddenly confident aura. It was as if he was seeing Rui in a completely new light—and he was. A flicker of intense curiosity, amusement, and something deeper, something possessive, passed through Kian's sharp gaze. His assistant, a stern-faced beta, leaned in beside him and whispered something, but Kian's eyes never once left Rui, a silent, powerful acknowledgment passing between them.
Later, while students began to exit the hall, Rui remained alone by the side doors, catching his breath. He needed a moment to process the sheer number of eyes that had been on him, the sudden, unwanted attention.
A quiet ping sounded in his head again, a confirmation:
[Task Complete – +10 Points Earned]
He glanced back towards the stage.
Kian was still there—watching. Not approaching, but not walking away either, his gaze a fixed point on Rui.
Rui felt a shiver that wasn't fear this time. It was a strange mix of exhilaration and anticipation. He turned and walked out of the building, into the late afternoon sun… not just walking, but glowing.