Chapter 43: No.43: Hot Delivery Guy
Reading through the notification, Bruce couldn’t help but wonder...
"Why did it have to phrase it like that?"
No matter how he tried to view it, the System made it seem like he was involved in something illegal.
"The title doesn’t really help the situation much either."
Though he couldn’t deny that the situation could easily be mistaken for one involving criminal activities, especially since the actual source of his money couldn’t be easily explained to a third party.
"Yet, there are better ways to put it than this."
"Putting that aside for now..."
Shifting his gaze to the last part of the notification, his brows twitched subconsciously as he read through it.
"What does this System have against my junk!"
As this was already the second time the System had threatened him regarding his member, Bruce was beginning to suspect it had something against his poor little brother.
"And the little guy hasn’t even done anything yet. Why is it trying to cut his life short? Ahh... The injustice."
Sighing at his current predicament, Bruce decided to drop it for now, as there was no point crying over spilt milk. Only by focusing on the task at hand would he be able to avoid losing his precious member.
Taking a moment to study the Main Task once more, he realised the System took this Task far more seriously than the previous ones, which was probably why it had set it as the last Main Task required for him to upgrade the System to the next stage.
Not to mention, the difficulty was much higher than the previous ones, requiring far more specific conditions for completion, while the time limit was much shorter than the last.
Meaning he had to come up with a believable explanation that could account for an absurd amount of wealth in less than three days, without getting any innocent person into trouble, while making sure his story was convincing enough to fool even the sharpest investigators.
"Well then. I guess that’s a challenge."
Smirking at the difficulty before him, rather than feeling intimidated by it, Bruce couldn’t help but feel excited by the challenge and, more importantly, the rewards he’d reap once the Task was completed.
Glancing at the Task once more, Bruce was secretly glad that this was the one assigned to him.
"I guess it’s my lucky day."
Ever since he’d purchased the earrings for Summer, he’d been aware that it was only a matter of time before he had to come up with a believable explanation for where all his sudden wealth came from.
With that in mind, he’d been thinking about it ever since, considering multiple scenarios that could better suit his predicament.
Luckily, he’d come up with a solution a while back while trying to focus his mind on sensing the Mana within him.
"It might be crazy enough to just work."
Smirking at the thought, he wasn’t sure whether the System had reduced the time limit because it was aware he’d already figured out a solution, or whether it was simply a coincidence.
Regardless of the reason, he was glad things were in his favour this time.
Glancing outside, he realised it was already late at night.
"Best get some rest for tomorrow."
Feeling somewhat restless, as he was eager to show off his change, Bruce decided to get some shut-eye now. Otherwise, he might end up staying awake all night if he wasn’t careful.
Deciding to finally sleep on his Bruce-shaped bed for the first time in a while, now that he was no longer out of shape, he lay down, closing his eyes as he searched for a comfortable position despite being completely swallowed by the mattress’s imprinted shape.
Surprisingly, after finding a somewhat comfortable spot, it didn’t take long before he drifted off to sleep.
...
Waking up relatively early, Bruce still found it a bit difficult to get off the bed.
This time, though, it wasn’t due to his own weight, but rather because the mattress itself had been squashed beyond saving after suffering under the previous Bruce’s weight for far too long, making it a trap for anyone who dared rest on it.
"I really need to get a new apartment."
Regardless, with his current strength, he managed to free himself without much difficulty.
Freshening up, he wore one of the outfits he’d bought on his way back from the barber shop yesterday.
Calling Summer to receive her QR code for today’s deliveries, he checked his reflection one last time before finally stepping outside, ready to show the world the new Bruce.
...
Making his way to his destination, the young man walked leisurely, a gentle smile resting on his lips.
The sight drew the attention of everyone who passed by, be they male or female.
Contrary to the looks directed at him before, which were often cautious or wary, these were far more intrigued, as people wondered how someone like him could exist.
Secretly revelling in the feeling, Bruce’s smile widened as he finally reached his destination.
Scanning his OmniBand at the QR-code scanner, he was granted entry soon after.
Upon entering, he immediately attracted the attention of the other staff already working there.
Most wondered what a hunk like him was doing in a place like this.
They became even more surprised upon seeing him approach the workers’ section, making them realise he actually worked there.
Confused as to why someone like him would willingly work in such a place when he could easily get a job elsewhere simply because of his looks, they imagined customers would flock in just to catch a glimpse of him.
They also wondered why they hadn’t seen him before.
However, as applications to work there were mostly done online, it was understandable that they assumed he’d only recently been employed.
With that in mind, a brave young lady stepped forward, volunteering to show him the ropes before her other female colleagues could seize the opportunity.
"Hey there! You’re new here, right? Why don’t I show you around if you’d like? I can also help you if there’s anything you don’t understand. Just feel free to call me anytime."
Surprised by the sudden approach, Bruce couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly at her intentions.
Despite having worked here for a few days in Summer’s place, this was actually his first time speaking to anyone else there, as they had previously acted as though he didn’t even exist.
Yet now that he was attractive, she suddenly acted as though it was customary to show newcomers around.
Though most of the workers changed from time to time, as this was more of a part-time job for many of them, Bruce could still remember seeing this lady at least once before, as her face was fairly memorable, only falling slightly below the System’s qualification.
Unperturbed, Bruce simply gave her a gentle smile in return.
"Thanks for the offer, but I’m already familiar with this place since it isn’t my first day here."
With that, he simply walked towards the changing room, leaving the stunned young lady behind.
Upon reaching the changing room, Bruce was unable to find the clothes he’d been using over the past few days.
Having heard from the other workers earlier, he had learned that the "spare clothes," as Summer called them, actually belonged to someone else.
Unsure why she’d claimed they were spare clothes, Bruce could easily imagine the guy having flirted with her in the past to the point that he’d become a nuisance, prompting her to punish him a little.
Thinking that was the case, Bruce couldn’t help but pity the poor guy.
’Sorry, man. But there were no other clothes I could’ve used.’
With that, he noticed a new, slightly smaller set in the same place he’d taken the previous ones.
The poor guy had probably had enough and decided to buy a smaller size to stop whoever had been secretly wearing his clothes.
Fortunately, now that Bruce had gotten fit, this worked in his favour.
’Thanks, man. Your sacrifice won’t be in vain.’
Taking the clothes, Bruce put them on.
Still finding them a little tight despite having lost weight, Bruce couldn’t help but sigh at his current predicament.
This time, however, it was because his pecs and biceps had become larger, making the shirt somewhat difficult to wear.
Deciding to be careful not to accidentally rip it like before, Bruce quickly made his way to the delivery scooter to get today’s shift over with.
...
A while later...
Stepping out of one of the houses he’d just delivered the last meal to, Bruce let out an exhausted sigh.
"Ahhhh....! Who knew being beautiful would be a problem as well?"
Shaking his head, he recalled how he’d had to practically smuggle himself out after yet another customer insisted he stay for a meal, claiming she’d ordered too much.
Similar, though slightly different, incidents had occurred throughout the past few hours while making deliveries.
Some insisted he stay a little longer, while others claimed he must’ve been exhausted from working under the scorching sun and encouraged him to take a break.
’The System wasn’t joking when it said high Charisma would affect people’s perception of me simply by being present. I’d better be more careful about how I increase my Stats from now on.’
Shuddering at the thought, he finally realised just how frightening high Charisma could truly be.
Deciding not to increase his Charisma Stat any further unless absolutely necessary, Bruce finally headed towards Summer, as it was about time they met up.
"Hopefully, she’s not too freaked out to see this new version of me."
With that in mind, Bruce returned the scooter before making his way to meet up with Summer.