Chapter Forty-Eight: Attribute Breakthrough Expertise

In the taxi on the way home, gazing out at the sparse stars and bright moon through the window, the pale moonlight spilling onto the streets seemed to reflect Aoki’s mood—quiet and cold.

Aoki’s expression was tinged with gloom.

He was not unaware that Saeko Busujima seemed to harbor some affection for him.

Yet he dared not respond, not even to admit that, truthfully, Saeko fit his ideal partner rather well: beautiful, mature, gentle, and graceful.

The system had indeed helped him greatly, but at the same time, it hung over him like a Damoclean sword.

He had never forgotten that night in the boundless darkness of death, the pact he made with the so-called “god.”

If he failed to accomplish the system’s tasks, he would lose this life once again—death, as it were.

For this reason, Aoki strove relentlessly: studying hard, training in boxing, earning money, urgently seeking a cure for Sora’s illness... It was all because he feared that, without effort, he would become a failure once more. Worse still, he dreaded the debts he owed others, debts he could never repay even in death.

His failure in his previous life left him with no choice but to transplant his own heart—for he was poor, unable to earn enough to save his younger brother. The only way to repay his parents’ kindness and fulfill his duty as an elder brother was a life for a life.

This time, he truly did not want to be a failure again.

And until he succeeded in escaping this fate, Aoki neither wanted nor dared to easily make friends, let alone pursue deeper relationships.

Simply put, he feared that if he failed again, those close to him would suffer unbearable pain.

[...The system will never assign excessively dangerous tasks. Please rest assured, host. Even this time, the mission was issued only after assessing your physical condition and available equipment—if your abilities were insufficient, the system would not trigger the relevant task.]

Perhaps sensing Aoki’s pessimism, the system responded in a remarkably human manner, opening a new chat window.

[If you worry about failing tasks, why not strive to become stronger? Whether in free fighting or kendo, reaching level ten would make you, theoretically, a being beyond human. Becoming a delinquent is not too dangerous. Regarding physical attributes, reaching twenty points means you’ve already broken the human limit.]

Aoki glanced at the system’s messages and gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “Maybe so, but today, if I hadn’t had the Roly-Poly sticker, Ishihara’s wooden sword would’ve been truly dangerous. With poor luck, cerebral hemorrhage could’ve left me dead or vegetative... Maybe I am rather pessimistic. Still, until I feel I am strong enough, this pessimism may never fade.”

[...]

The system fell silent, perhaps thinking that Aoki’s cautious mindset was not such a bad thing.

Crisis is always the greatest driving force—this holds true for humanity at large.

Aoki took a deep breath and pulled himself together.

The system’s words were not without merit. If he could, without relying on any equipment, take on ten or twenty people at once, what delinquent could threaten him? At the very least, if his physical capabilities were high enough, he could always escape when necessary. For instance, this time, if his body were tougher, if he’d done more resistance training, even being struck on the head with a steel pipe wouldn’t have posed much danger. If his skill levels and fighting experience were higher, not only would he not be stunned by these delinquents, but it would also be nearly impossible for someone to sneak up behind him so easily.

Come on! If he’s strong enough, how hard could it be to be a delinquent?

Wait—did I complete my previous task? Suddenly, Aoki thought of this.

[Task: Rising Fame (completed).]
[Task Reward: Free Attribute Points x3, Skill Upgrade Scroll x1. Completion: Perfect. Extra Reward: Free Attribute Point x1.]
[Hidden Task: Infamous Reputation completed. Please check your reward.]
[Infamous Reputation: Your ruthless methods and formidable strength have become widely known. From today, you are no longer an anonymous, ordinary delinquent, but a rising star in the delinquent world! Completion: Perfect. Reward: Charisma Points +2.]
[Because your Charisma Points have exceeded twenty, please select a Charisma Specialty Skill.]

Aoki’s face changed drastically at this.

“Show me my attribute panel!”

[Host: Aoki]
[Strength: 10 (Average adult: 10, evaluated by overall muscular strength.)]
[Agility: 12 (Average adult: 10, evaluated by overall coordination and muscle explosiveness.)]
[Intellect: 14 (Average adult: 10, evaluated by memory, logic, learning ability, and overall brain capacity. Note: this is not equivalent to IQ or emotional intelligence.)]
[Stamina: 8 (Average adult: 10, evaluated by muscle endurance and overall physical stamina.)]
[Charisma: 20 (Average person: 10, calculated by looks, physique, temperament, and overall charisma.)]

Seeing his Charisma far ahead of other attributes, Aoki’s mouth twitched; he felt his path was getting rather unconventional.

[Charisma Specialties: ‘Supreme Presence’ ‘Superstar’ ‘Confidant’]
[Supreme Presence: Your extraordinary nature speaks for itself. Anyone who sees you will immediately understand you are not like them. This specialty greatly enhances the sense of intimidation you convey, making those who respect you respect you more, and those who fear you fear you more.]
[Superstar: Your charisma far surpasses ordinary people; anyone who sees you will inevitably be drawn to your charm. Every gesture, every word carries immense allure. This specialty greatly increases your attractiveness, regardless of gender, causing them to worship you, fall in love with you, and cry out in awe at your presence!]
[Confidant: Your charisma is no longer a superficial matter of appearance, but stems from a warm soul. Anyone who sits and talks with you will feel you are their soulmate. This specialty greatly enhances the persuasiveness and emotional impact of your words, making anyone who converses with you feel as if bathed in spring breeze, unconsciously opening their hearts.]

Carefully reading through the three specialty attributes, Aoki let out a cold laugh, feeling the system hadn’t really given him much of a choice.

If he picked ‘Supreme Presence,’ he’d be walking further down the path of the bald-headed boss, which he’d rather die than choose. As for ‘Superstar,’ Aoki only needed to recall Kokoro Toqibashi’s radiant demeanor to imagine the effect. He would never want people to look at him and suddenly cry out in awe... Aoki shuddered at the thought of men and women gazing at him with starry-eyed adoration and shouting out loud; he’d rather they all feared him.

So, only the third option seemed remotely normal. At least his life wouldn’t get any stranger.

[Charisma Specialty Selected: Confidant.]

Seeing the four freely assignable attribute points and a skill upgrade scroll, Aoki decided to wait, to think it through—his mind was still a mess.

Just then, the taxi stopped; Aoki glanced around, and indeed, he was home.

“Um...the total...the total...” The taxi driver, looking at Aoki in the rearview mirror, felt the bald man seemed even more menacing than when he got in, nerves taut, terrified he might suddenly announce a robbery...

Aoki glanced at the mirror, met the driver’s gaze, watched as the man quickly looked away, and, used to such reactions, merely curled his lip, checked the meter, counted the fare from his wallet, handed it over, and hurried out.

The driver didn’t dare check if the amount was correct; as soon as Aoki got out, he floored the accelerator, speeding away into the distance.

Aoki watched the taxi disappear down the street and sighed, his expression tinged with despair: He seemed...even more intimidating now, didn’t he?

ps: Alas, it looks like the contract will be delayed again. Because I’ve been updating daily, the word count has exploded, and I must control it. Please, dear readers, be patient for a few more days. I won’t be adding extra chapters these days—just two updates daily until the contract is signed, then I’ll add more as promised.

Honestly, I’m quite anxious. Other books get contracts at fifty thousand words, and recommendations at sixty or seventy thousand. I applied at a hundred thousand, so I’ll probably have to wait until one hundred twenty thousand before signing. Recommendations seem a distant hope. This hits me pretty hard. I hope you all understand my current situation, and that in this low period, I still have your support.