"They say you act like the people you hang around," Cassius thought, tugging his hoodie tighter as he andered through the bustling streets of Hoshito. His steps were unhurried, blending into the crowd, but his mind was anything but idle.
"With my Perception and Intelligence stats where they are now, I can see and feel things better than before. It's like pulling back a curtain on the world," he muttered. But quickly, he thought of sothing else, causing a sigh to escape his lips. "Aya… she's just a reflection of what others used to do to her," he mused, the realization settling uncomfortably in his chest.
For all his lingering bitterness, hating her over sothing so trivial seed aningless now. He clenched his fists. If he wanted to change, if he truly wanted to be better, he had to let go of these petty grudges.
He sighed, looking up at the brilliant sunlight filtering through a smattering of clouds. "Three weeks. In just three weeks, I've beco an entirely different person. The old wouldn't have given Aya anything, not even if she begged on her knees."
They say people never truly change. But evolution? Evolution demands change. And through change cos transformation.
His thoughts turned back to the Idle Evolution System, a gift—or curse—that had turned his life upside down. "It doesn't really have much to do with evolution, not directly at least. But then again, maybe the system is just the catalyst."
"Whereas evolution… that's on ."
His fingers absently traced the seams of his hoodie as he continued walking, the corners of his lips twitching in amusent. "Still, for a so-called 'Idle System,' it's the least idle thing I've ever encountered. Every day it hounds with Daily Quests and Side Quests, making sure I never slack off. It's like having the world's most annoying gym coach in my head."
It wasn't wrong, though.
For three straight weeks, he hadn't had a mont's rest. Whether it was physical training or rushing to complete ridiculous Side Quests, the system kept him moving. And as much as he hated to admit it, the results spoke for themselves. He was stronger, faster, sharper—all the things he'd dread of becoming but never thought possible.
"It's still an asshole, though," he muttered under his breath.
And then, as if summoned by his words, the system responded in kind. A glowing blue screen with a red outline popped into his vision, its smugness almost palpable.
[┌( ಠ‿ಠ )┘]
[Special Side Quest]
— An 18-year-old girl with long brown hair is about to get hit by a truck. After missing its date with you, the truck must be out for blood.
— Save the girl and receive 2 Charisma.
— Let the girl die and receive a subtraction of two balls from your total number of balls.
Cassius blinked. "...But I only have two balls."
[Then you better save the girl!]
The silence that followed was deafening. Cassius stared at the screen, a muscle in his jaw twitching.
"I take back everything I said," he growled. "You really are the worst system in existence."
Without wasting another second, he bolted toward the sound of screeching brakes. His legs pumped like pistons, his upgraded stats working overti as he navigated the maze of streets. The terrified screams of bystanders grew louder, and as he rounded a corner, he spotted her—a girl with long brown hair frozen in the middle of a narrow street.
In her arms, a tiny white Poranian trembled, its fluffy body pressed tightly against her chest.
"She's frozen," Cassius realized, his mind racing. "She's not going to move in ti."
He didn't hesitate. Dumping 5 AP into Agility, he felt the familiar surge of power course through his limbs. His surroundings blurred as he pushed his body to its absolute limit, closing the distance in the blink of an eye.
"Move!" he shouted, shoving the girl out of harm's way with every ounce of strength he had.
Ti slowed as he turned his head, locking eyes with the blaring headlights of the truck.
"Wait… I don't think I thought this through—"
The impact hit him like a freight train. His world spun, the sound of screeching tires and horrified gasps fading into a dull roar. Pain blossod in every inch of his body as he was thrown like a ragdoll, skidding across the hot pavent before coming to an abrupt stop.
Through the haze of agony, he thought he saw… an angel?
Her long brown hair frad a face streaked with tears as she knelt beside him, her hands trembling. Sothing wet and slimy pressed against his cheek.
'Why is the angel crying?' he wondered, his vision dimming. 'And why is she licking ? Is she not an angel but instead a succubus…? Well, whatever the case, I think I'm about to die…'
A wry smile tugged at his lips as consciousness slipped away. 'What a joke… After all that talk about wanting to be the strongest…'
—-------------
"Mhmm…"
Cassius awoke to the soft rustle of curtains and the faint scent of antiseptic. His body felt like it had been run over—well, it had—but the pain was manageable.
Blinking slowly, his gaze landed on the figure sitting by the hospital window.
The girl.
The sunlight streaming through the window frad her like a painting, highlighting her delicate features. Her long brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her hands rested loosely in her lap. But what caught Cassius's attention most was the exhaustion etched into her face—the dark bags under her eyes, the slight slump in her posture.
"She's been here this whole ti?" he muttered under his breath.
He considered calling out to her, but the sight of her sleeping so peacefully gave him pause. Instead, he let his head fall back against the pillow, a small smile playing on his lips.
"I wonder if I lost my balls," he mused, closing his eyes without bothering to check between his legs.
'Maybe later… I'll check later…'
The daunting thought genuinely haunted him. Because what if he truly didn't have his balls anymore? What then??
Scary…
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