Chương 29: Achievements! Level Up!

Hugo slammed the door behind him, leaning his back against it like he was keeping the apocalypse at bay. "It's okay. I'm safe. I'm back in my room. No one knows I'm here…"

Except someone did know.

The gang. His gang.

Or rather, the nightmare gang he used to roll with before life took a sharp nosedive into the absurd. His heart did a somersault in his chest.

Those lunatics had finally sniffed him out, and he wasn't ready. Not even close. He clutched his head as if that would stop the flood of memories.

Hugo had made some crazy choices over the last few years. One of which was joking thus gang.

He had been so talented at driving that they had reached out to him themselves, promising wealth and luxury.

He had also foolishly accepted, thinking it would make him more 'badass' and ''alpha'...

But he quickly realised his heart wasn't made for that kind of life.

So... he ran away with some of their money...

And the worst part of it all was Don Juan.

Hugo shivered just thinking about that pint-sized terror.

"How is it that someone so short can be that scary?" He whispered to no one in particular.

The image of Don Juan's glowering mask, set atop his diminutive 5-foot frame flashed in his mind.

The man could make Santa Claus second-guess himself. He wasn't a gangster. He was a pocket-sized apocalypse in Adidas tracksuits.

He was like a chihuahua with the attitude of a Rottweiler—and Hugo knew better than to underestimate a man whose signature threat was, "Kneecaps are optional."

He shook his head. "Alright, Hugo. Breathe. *In with the calm, out with the fear*."

Panic wasn't going to solve anything. He had something better. He had… the SYSTEM.

With a mental command, he summoned the glowing interface, and the familiar blue screen materialised before him.

It felt comforting, like an old friend. An old friend that occasionally insulted him, but still, better than Don Juan.

_____

[Ding! Achievements Unlocked!]

[- First Kiss Achievement: +20 EXP -

You didn't think this would ever happen, did you? …Neither did she.]

[- Bite a Girl Achievement: +20 EXP -

That's not what they meant by 'leave a mark.' Shame.]

[- First Sexual Act with Opposite Sex Achievement: +20 EXP -

Technically counts, even if it was more awkward than sensual.]

_____

Hugo's jaw dropped. "Bite a girl?!" he gasped. He rubbed his eyes, convinced the screen was playing a prank on him.

Nope. Still there.

"It was one time! She asked me to try something different!" he muttered defensively. "Blimey, system—no need to make it sound so criminal!"

The achievements kept pinging, adding to his growing pool of experience points, but the cheeky comments? They stung worse than his memories.

Then came the real reward.

_____

[Level Up!]

_____

"Yeah baby! OUCH!!"

Hugo was halfway through a victory dance when he accidentally slammed his kneecaps on his desk.

It hurt so much he ended the dance that instant bad crashed to the floor. This oddly made him fear don Juan more, or rather... the tenacity if his victims...

_____

[Ding! Allocating random stat point... Stat point allocated to communication!]

[Ding! Distributing Rewards!]

[Rewards:

- Host has received 50 UHS Credits!

- Host has received 50 UHS Points!

- Host has received 1 Muscle Unlock Pill!]

_____

Hugo snorted at the 'communication' stat upgrade.

"Right, 'cause I'll just talk my way out of getting kneecapped by Don Juan."

Still, he figured he might as well put the new stat to the test. Practice made perfect, right? He leaned back against the door, closing his eyes.

"Alright, imaginary girl," he whispered, "let's see if this upgrade actually works."

In his mind, a gorgeous woman appeared. She looked confident and sultry, with a look that said, impress me.

"So," Hugo began, clearing his throat. "How… how much does a polar bear weigh?"

Imaginary Girl folded her arms. "Enough to break the ice? Seriously?"

"Okay, bad start. Uh… you like sandwiches?"

"What kind of sandwiches?" she asked, eyebrow raised.

"Uh… the good ones?"

Imaginary Girl sighed and evaporated into non-existence, taking Hugo's dignity with her.

"Yeah. That communication stat's really doing wonders," Hugo muttered, slapping his forehead. No guy would be able to rizz when their kneecaps were in potential danger.

But hey, at least he'd tried.

Still, he couldn't deny the thrill of receiving actual rewards. He turned his attention back to the system screen, pulling up his inventory to check the rewards.

A grin spread across his face as the numbers updated.

_____

UHS Credits: 100

UHS Points: 100

_____

"I'm loaded!" he whispered excitedly, like he'd just won the lottery. "A hundred points and a hundred credits? I could buy an entire galaxy with that… if this were a mobile game."

Then his gaze fell on the new item: Muscle Unlock Pills.

He tapped on the description.

_____

[Muscle Unlock Pills: Increases muscle performance, growth, and recovery for seven days.]

_____

Hugo's eyes sparkled. "Muscle pills?!" he whispered, barely containing his joy. If the plate unlock pills made him taller... then the muscle unlock pills...

"These'll make me look like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson by the end of the week!"

He flexed an arm, disappointed by how scrawny it looked. "Finally! No more noodle arms!"

He did a quick calculation in his head. "But wait… I've still got the Plate Unlock Pills active. Better wait for those to run out. Can't waste the gains, after all."

Feeling more optimistic about his chances of survival (and eventual muscular glory), Hugo scrolled through the system's interface until he reached the [Gift Box Tab.]

The gift box tab appeared after he had accrued up to 50 points. It gave him the chance to win enchanted items ranging from trash tier to rare tier!

And each spin cost 50 UHS Points!

His eyes widened at the flashing wheel, which looked just like the ones in casinos

The screen pulsed with glitter and neon lights, practically screaming, 'Buy me! You won't regret it… probably.'

Hugo rubbed his hands together, grinning like a kid in a sweet shop. "Time to roll the dice!" He hovered his finger over the first option. "Let's make it rain, baby."