Friday, 11:47 PM.
I stared at my phone screen, rereading Sophie's message for the tenth time.
Sophie: "There's a French cinema screening at the Arclight this Sunday. Truffaut films. Would you like to go?"
And my response, already sent, impossible to take back:
Gino: "I'd love to go. What time?"
Sophie: "7 PM! See you outside the theater 😊"
Sophie: "I'm excited!"
That had been twenty minutes ago. And since then, the System hadn't left me alone.
[MISSION #003 ACTIVATED] [RANK: D – SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTY SPIKE] [TITLE: "The First Date"]
[TIME UNTIL DATE: 43 hours, 13 minutes]
"Shit," I whispered in the darkness of the room.
"What's wrong?" Marco's voice came from his bed. "You still awake?"
"Yes."
I heard movement. Marco turned on his desk lamp, squinting against the light. He put on his glasses and looked at me.
"Bro, it's almost midnight. What's got you so—"
He stopped, studying my expression.
"Something happened. What happened?"
I sighed. "Sophie asked me out. To the movies. On Sunday."
Marco stared at me for a moment. Then a huge grin spread across his face.
"THAT'S AWESOME! Why do you look like you're going to a funeral?"
"Because…" I didn't know how to explain it without mentioning the System. "Because it's my first real date, Marco. I've never done this before. I have no idea what I'm doing."
"Ah." Marco got out of bed and walked over to mine, sitting on the edge. "Okay, breathe. We're going to do this step by step."
"Do what?"
"Plan your date, idiot." Marco pulled out his phone. "First: where exactly are you going?"
"Arclight Cinema. Downtown. Truffaut film screening."
"French, classic, intellectual. Very Sophie." Marco was typing on his phone. "Okay, the Arclight is… here. There are several restaurants nearby. Are you planning to have dinner afterward?"
Should I?
"YES, you should. A movie alone is too short. You need to extend the time with her." Marco kept typing. "Alright, we have 43 hours. That's enough."
"Enough for what?"
"To turn you into someone who can survive a date." He looked at me seriously. "Gino, you're going to be fine. But we need to prepare you."
Saturday, 8:30 AM.
I woke up to a System notification flashing on my phone.
[Good morning, Romeo.] [35 hours until your date] [Preparation time: CRITICAL]
[Suggestion: Visit the DEMONIC SHOP] [You have 35 Sin Points available] [There are items that will help you SIGNIFICANTLY]
I opened the shop interface. It was like a video game menu, but the items were… unique.
[DEMONIC SHOP] [Balance: 35 SP]
CONSUMABLES – ONE-TIME USE:
[Cologne of Desire] – 30 SP
Increases attraction +15% for 4 hours
Subtle, natural magnetic scent
People find you more attractive subconsciously
Duration: One full date
RECOMMENDED FOR FIRST DATE
[Supreme Confidence Pill] – 25 SP
Eliminates nerves for 3 hours
Guaranteed smooth conversation
Automatic confident posture
No social anxiety
INFORMATION:
[Complete Guide: Your First Date] – 10 SP
Step-by-step protocol
What to do and what NOT to do
Perfect timing for each phase
Conversation examples
[In-Depth Analysis: Sophie Laurent] – 20 SP
Complete psychological profile
What she specifically likes
What to avoid at all costs
Interest signals to watch for
How to genuinely impress her
SPECIAL OFFER: ["SUCCESSFUL FIRST DATE" PACKAGE]
Cologne of Desire (30 SP)
Complete Guide (10 SP)
Sophie Analysis (20 SP)
TOTAL VALUE: 60 SP
PACKAGE PRICE: 40 SP
[SAVE 20 SP!]
I did the math in my head. I had 35 SP. The package cost 40 SP.
I was missing 5 SP.
"Shit."
[Problem detected: Insufficient funds] [Solution available:] [QUICK SIDE MISSION]
A new window appeared.
[SIDE MISSION] [TITLE: "Social Practice"] [RANK: F]
[OBJECTIVE:] Go to the campus café. Start conversations with 3 strangers. Maintain each conversation for a minimum of 2 minutes.
[REWARD:] +15 Sin Points
[TIME LIMIT: 4 hours]
[Accept?]
I didn't really have a choice.
[Accept]