We climbed the stairs in silence.
The six-story building was old, with peeling walls and that permanent damp smell that felt baked into the concrete itself. The elevator, of course, wasn't working. As usual.
The dog ran beside me, energetic, as if this wasn't the end of a long day but the start of something new. Not a trace of the aggression it had shown earlier—when it had tried to take my leg off.
"Well," I muttered, glancing at him. "Let's see if my mom kicks you out."
He snorted and wagged his tail happily.
"And just so you know," I added, "we probably can't afford another hungry mouth."
He looked at me like that wasn't a convincing argument.
I opened the apartment door quietly. It was dark inside—Mom was still at work.
"Lucky you," I whispered. "You've got time to make a good first impression."
I led him into the bathroom.
The water was lukewarm, the towels old but clean. The dog stood patiently while I washed the street grime off him, occasionally snorting and shaking his head, spraying water everywhere.
"Yeah," I smirked. "Five-star spa treatment, right?"
In the kitchen, I found some pasta and a can of preserved meat. Not a feast, but not nothing.
I cooked a portion for myself.
And one for him.
We ate in silence. He devoured his food like it was the best meal of his life. I ate slowly, listening to the quiet of the apartment.
Then came the dishes.
Then my room.
A desk.
A chair.
A mattress on the floor.
The bare minimum for living.
The dog sat in front of me, watching closely.
"So," I said. "We need a name."
He tilted his head.
"Considering everything…" I smirked. "I think 'Glitch' fits."
He barked once.
"Deal," I nodded. "That's for the shoe."
At that moment, the front door lock clicked.
"Kade?" Mom's voice called out.
I stepped into the hallway.
"Mom," I said. "I've got a surprise for you."
"Is it a bad one?" she asked tiredly.
"Not sure," I answered honestly. "But it's funny."
I stepped aside.
The dog walked out of the room.
Mom froze.
"Oh…" she covered her mouth. "Oh my God."
"It's temporary," I said quickly. "Well… maybe."
"Another hungry mouth," she sighed.
"I already warned him."
She crouched down and cautiously reached out her hand. Glitch sniffed it—and immediately wagged his tail.
"You know that's responsibility, right?" she said. "Vaccinations, papers…"
"Mom," I said. "We don't even have money for my papers."
She snorted.
"Well. If we're lucky, he's healthy. If not…"
"Then we'll deal with it," I finished.
She looked at me—and suddenly smiled.
"Did you eat?"
"Yeah. Pasta with canned meat. I saved you some."
She nodded.
"Thank you."
We sat in the kitchen. Glitch curled up under the table.
"Mom," I asked suddenly. "What level are you?"
She thought for a moment.
"Twenty. All stats at twenty… except endurance."
"And endurance?"
"Fifty."
I whistled softly.
"Then why aren't you level twenty-one?"
She smiled—without joy.
"Because that's not how it works."
She explained calmly, like she'd said it a hundred times before.
"You can raise one stat as high as you want. You can raise almost all of them. But if even one lags behind—the level won't increase."
"And the task?"
"For strength," she nodded. "I need to choose a new primary profession. Combine it with an artifact and blue diamonds."
"And?"
"They don't drop. Not from tasks. Not from shops. Nowhere."
I stayed silent.
"That's why we're here," she continued. "First Sector. Normal life. The system just helps us do our jobs a little better."
She paused, then added quietly:
"It was the same for your father. His strength sometimes went up to one hundred and twenty. But intelligence…"
She shook her head.
"An artifact for a new profession. A blue crystal. He never found it."
I clenched my fists.
"So… no one from the First Sector reaches level twenty-one?"
"Almost no one," she said. "Only the chosen. Or those who move to the Second Sector."
"And magic?" I asked. "Did you ever get magic-related tasks?"
She looked surprised.
"Magic? No. It unlocks after twenty-one. Full use starts at thirty."
"So all mages…"
"Arenas. Military. Second and Third Sectors," she finished.
I nodded.
"Why are you asking?"
"Just…" I shrugged. "I've gotten a couple of tasks related to magic."
She frowned.
"That's strange. You won't be able to use magic in the First Sector."
I smiled.
"Thanks, Mom."
I lay down on the mattress. Glitch settled beside me.
I made a request to the system.
— **Are there any remaining tasks today for Intelligence growth?**
####################
SYSTEM
All tasks for today have been completed.
Update — tomorrow.
####################
"Got it," I muttered.
I closed the window.
"Good night, System," I said quietly.
Glitch yawned.
So did I.
And I fell asleep.