Chapter 40: No.40: Picking Up The Pace {3}: Task Completed!
Stepping out of a supermarket with a few shopping bags in hand, Bruce was now dressed in more comfortable clothing.
The shopping bags were also filled with a few more slim-fitted clothes than the one he was currently wearing. Though not the most expensive nor trendiest in the store, as he was still conscious of his spending for now, they still cost a bit and were somewhat fashionable.
His hair, no longer a mess after his visit to the barber shop, was neatly cut into a more eye-catching style.
It had a neatly trimmed undercut, while the top was layered into a messy, voluminous quiff. Each strand was intentionally styled to create a distinctive yet memorable look.
Sighing as he exited the supermarket, it having been uneventful without any cliché triggers that might result in additional rewards, Bruce decided to head back home upon noticing it was already getting late.
On getting home, he took a quick shower before lying on the crooked chair once more.
Pulling up his profile as usual, he checked his Stats to see his progress so far.
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[Personal Profile]
{Name: Bruce Wade}
{Age: 20}
{Level: 1}
{Main Ability: Rebate Lord}
{Account Balance: 8,597,582KPT » 6,097,582KPT » 56,097,582KPT}
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[Personal Stats]
{Strength: 40}
{Agility: 15}
{Stamina: 7}
{Charisma: -23}
{Mana: 60/60}
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[Rebate Profile]
{Rebate Stage: Wimp Stage}
{Bonded Targets: 2/2 (Kindly upgrade to the next Rebate Stage to unlock additional Bonded Target slots.)}
{Rebate Coins: 567.75}
{Rebate Gifts: None}
********
"Not bad."
These last few days had been surprisingly more fruitful than he’d anticipated, providing him with more rewards while hastening his progress on his Main Task as well.
The biggest gain, obviously, was the amount of Kepto he now possessed, most of which came from the 5 million he paid in full this morning for Naomi’s training, triggering the x10 Rebate for spending on a Bonded Target.
Though the gym also took about 10% of the fee for the private coaching, the System recognized the total amount spent with a Bonded Target in mind.
Meaning, he received the Rebate for the entire amount, bringing his current account balance to a whopping 56 million.
Way more money than he’d ever imagined himself having just a few days ago.
Regardless, his progress in every other aspect had also been significant, advancing far faster than he’d expected at this point.
"Yet, now that I already have an excuse, why not push it a bit more?"
Most of the reason he’d decided to stick to the seven-day limit initially was because he lacked a suitable excuse to explain his sudden change, as well as the Rebate Coins needed to purchase the pills.
However, now he already had the perfect excuse for the former, leaving only the latter.
"Good thing I always have a backup plan."
Fearing he’d be unable to obtain enough Rebate Coins to purchase the number of pills required to complete the Task, Bruce had come up with a contingency plan in case things went sideways.
Recalling how the System had informed him that he could convert Rebate Coins into Kepto should he desire, he’d enquired a few days ago if the reverse could also be done.
After receiving confirmation, he’d decided to keep it as a last resort, not wanting to waste such an absurd amount of Kepto, considering a single Rebate Coin cost about 1,000 Kepto.
Meaning, a single pill cost 300,000 Kepto.
With that in mind, he’d decided to only use it as a last resort to conserve his money, since he wouldn’t receive a Rebate for spending solely on himself.
Now that things were more favourable, though, he was able to speed things up a bit without restraint.
Purchasing the usual Base Stat Enhancement Pill, Bruce converted about 200,000 Kepto in total to purchase an additional pill.
This one was a Low-Grade Charisma Enhancer.
Though he could’ve purchased another Base Stat Enhancer, Bruce decided to go with this one, as the thought of having his Charisma Stat far below the rest of his Stats just didn’t sit right with him.
"Not to mention, it’s cheaper. So, win-win."
Chuckling to himself, he hesitated a bit, wondering whether it was safe to take more than one pill at the same time. But as the System hadn’t cautioned him against it, he concluded it wouldn’t be a problem.
"Probably."
Popping both pills into his mouth before he could come up with an excuse not to, Bruce’s taste buds were immediately assaulted by two distinct flavours.
One carried a refreshing minty taste, while the other was sweet and sugary, almost milky even.
However, before he could savour them any longer, an intense pain immediately assaulted his entire body as the pills took effect much faster than usual.
Worst of all, his body didn’t seem to be falling asleep anytime soon.
Dropping to the ground as a sharp grunt escaped his lips, Bruce gripped his chest while the veins across his entire body pulsed at an alarming rate, as though threatening to burst from the slightest touch.
Gritting his teeth, his eyes turned bloodshot as he struggled to withstand the pain.
As this occurred, a series of notifications appeared before him.
None of which he was able to register at the moment, as his mind was currently preoccupied with something else.
[Host’s Base Stats have exceeded the average limit of the mundane inhabitants of this World]
[Cumulative Effect has been triggered due to exceeding the current World’s Limit...]
{Error!!}
[Mysterious Catalyst has been detected within Host]
[Cumulative Effect has been altered due to the presence of Mysterious Catalyst]
[Enhancer Effects are now Supercharged as a result...]
[Base Stats have been increased by an additional +20]
[Charisma has been increased by an additional +40]
[Congratulations on successfully Completing Second Main Task]
[Task Status: Completed]
[Processing Rewards Based on Performance...]
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As this occurred, Bruce gritted his teeth as his body continued pulsing while undergoing its final transformation from his initial plus-sized figure into something much more desirable...