The next morning, Rui stood in front of the tiny mirror above his bathroom sink, holding the second item from the system's store:
[Skin & Glow Pack – 50 points]Effect: Radiant skin, clearer eyes, boosted energy for 24 hours.
He hesitated. "Can I really trust this thing?" he muttered.
But the ¥5000 in his wallet from yesterday was proof enough. So, with a breath, he tapped [Use Now] on the floating screen.
A warm shimmer washed over him like sunlight. It wasn't painful — more like a soft breeze brushing his skin, sinking into his bones.
Ten seconds later, the system chimed:
[Product Applied Successfully]
Rui blinked at his reflection… and stared.
His skin was brighter, smoother — glowing with a healthy tone he'd never seen on himself before. The dull shadows under his eyes were gone. His lips looked fuller, and his posture felt lighter, stronger.
Even his hair seemed to fall differently, less greasy, slightly tousled — like something out of a magazine ad.
He looked… stunning.Still Rui — just sharper. More alive.
He blinked again. "Whoa."
When Rui stepped into school, heads turned.
At first, he didn't notice. He was too used to slipping through hallways like a shadow. But today, whispers trailed behind him.
"Is that… Rui?"
"No way, right?"
"He looks… kind of beautiful?"
Rui's uniform was the same. His hair still fell over one eye. But his skin glowed, and his gaze — more alert, more confident — stopped people mid-sentence.
Even the betas from the gang who used to mess with him paused when he passed by. One of them muttered, "What the hell happened to that omega freak?"
Rui kept walking, not breaking stride. Inside, his heart was racing, but outside — he looked like he owned the hallway.
That afternoon, students gathered in the auditorium again. Another event, sponsored by Elros Corp.
Rui didn't expect to see him again so soon.
But there Kian was — tall, crisp in a black suit, standing at the side of the stage.
And this time, Kian's eyes locked on Rui the second he entered the room.
Rui looked away, face heating up. The system pinged quietly:
[Task #2: Make Eye Contact With Kian – 10 points]
Rui peeked up. Their eyes met again.
Kian tilted his head slightly, as if seeing Rui in a new light — and he was.
A flicker of curiosity and something deeper passed through Kian's sharp gaze. His assistant leaned in beside him and whispered something, but Kian's eyes never left Rui.
Later, while students exited the hall, Rui stood alone by the side doors, catching his breath.
A quiet ping sounded in his head again:
[Task Complete – +10 Points Earned]
He glanced back.
Kian was still there — watching. Not approaching, but not walking away either.
Rui felt a shiver that wasn't fear this time.
He turned and walked out of the building… glowing.