Alex parked his 1.8 million dollar Porsche in front of the "Royal Plaza," the city's most exclusive shopping district.
As he stepped out, he caught a reflection of himself in the store window. He cringed.
He was driving a hypercar, but he still looked like a homeless person. His cheap suit was torn at the shoulder from where he had exerted force against David. His shoes were scuffed. He smelled like sweat and old coffee.
[Current Mission: The Tycoon's Wardrobe] [Progress: $0 / $500,000] [Time Remaining: 2 Hours]
"Time to change," Alex muttered.
He walked straight into the flagship Armani store.
The air inside smelled like expensive perfume and money. Soft jazz music played in the background.
Usually, security would have stopped someone looking like Alex at the door. But as Alex walked in, the female greeter paused. She looked at his dirty clothes, frowned, but then looked at his face.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Why does he look so... magnetic? she thought.
Alex's face hadn't changed shape, but the +5 Charm was working. His eyes seemed deeper. His posture was commanding. Even in rags, he carried himself like a king in exile.
"Welcome to Armani, sir," the greeter said, blushing slightly. "How may I help you?"
Alex nodded. "I need clothes. A lot of them."
He walked deeper into the store. A senior sales associate, a man with a perfectly trimmed mustache, approached him. Unlike the greeter, this man was more focused on the clothes than the aura.
"Sir," the associate said stiffly. "The Salvation Army is three blocks down. This is a high-end boutique. A single tie here costs more than your outfit."
Alex didn't get angry this time. He was too rich to care about ants.
He pulled out the Black Card he had received from the System. He held it up. The gold chip glinted under the chandelier lights.
"I don't want a tie," Alex said calmly. "I want to speak to your manager. I'm doing a bulk purchase."
The associate saw the card. His eyes widened. It wasn't just a credit card; it was solid metal.
"I... I am the floor manager," the man stammered, his attitude flipping instantly. "How can I assist you?"
Alex pointed to the row of mannequins displaying the new season's collection.
"This row. The suits. What sizes do you have?"
"We have all sizes, sir. But these are bespoke Italian wool. Each suit is roughly $5,000."
"Too cheap," Alex muttered.
The manager choked. "Excuse me?"
"I said, it's too cheap. I need to spend money faster." Alex looked around. "Okay, here is the plan. I want three of every suit in my size. I want the winter collection coats. I want the silk pajamas. And the shoes—bring me every pair of leather oxfords you have."
The manager felt faint. "Sir... that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars."
"Did I ask for the price?" Alex tossed the card to him. "Swipe it. $500,000. If the clothes don't add up to that much, add some watches and cufflinks until it does. I don't have all day."
The store went silent. Other customers stopped shopping to stare.
Spending half a million just because he's in a rush? Who is this guy?
The manager scrambled to the register. The entire staff was mobilized. They ran back and forth like servants, piling mountains of clothes onto the counter.
Ten minutes later.
[Payment Successful: $500,000.00]
[DING!]
[Mission Complete: The Tycoon's Wardrobe.] [Reward: +10 Charm. +10 Speed. Skill Unlocked: "Tycoon's Aura" (Passive).]
Alex felt the energy rush through him again. This time, it settled in his skin and his legs. He felt lighter, faster.
"Sir," the manager said, bowing at a 90-degree angle, holding the receipt with two hands. "We have arranged for a private changing room. Would you like to change now?"
"Yes. Burn these old clothes," Alex said.
Twenty minutes later, the door to the fitting room opened.
The staff gasped.
Alex stepped out wearing a midnight-blue three-piece custom suit. The fabric hugged his broad shoulders perfectly. He wore a Patek Philippe watch on his left wrist. His hair had been slicked back.
With the accumulated +15 Charm (5 from before + 10 new), he was blinding.
The female greeter covered her mouth. "Oh my god..."
He didn't look like a loser anymore. He looked like the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. He looked dangerous.
Alex looked in the mirror. He smiled. The "Tycoon's Aura" made his reflection look imposing, almost glowing.
"Manager," Alex said. The manager rushed over.
"Yes, Mr. Alex?"
"Send the rest of the clothes to the finest hotel in the city. I'll check in later."
"Of course! Which hotel?"
Alex paused. He didn't have a place to live yet.
"The Ritz-Carlton," Alex said randomly. It was the most expensive one he knew. "But first... I have one stop to make."
Alex checked his watch. It was 4:30 PM.
Fatty Wang would still be at the office.
"Time to return my employee badge," Alex whispered, his eyes narrowing.