The doctor's voice cut through the air, tinged with annoyance and authority. "You can stop faking now," he admonished, his tone firm as he addressed Dio. "If you push the button one more time for wasting our time, we would need to charge a fee." He fixed Dio with a menacing glare, daring him to test his patience.

Dio held up his hands in surrender, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Got it, doc. No more button-pushing antics," he promised, his tone contrite as he acknowledged the doctor's warning.

With a weary sigh, the doctor continued, his expression softening slightly. "Anyway, we've checked everything out, and I don't know how, but your body seems to have healed remarkably well. You can sign here," he said, indicating the paperwork on the clipboard, "and then you're free to go home for today. If you experience any more pain, don't hesitate to come back for a check-up."

With a heartfelt gratitude, Dio turned to his friends, his eyes reflecting the depth of his appreciation. "Thank you all for coming to show your support," he began, his voice filled with warmth. "It means more to me than you'll ever know."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over each of his friends, lingering on Emilia for a moment longer. "But now, I think it's time for us to celebrate," he continued, a smile spreading across his face. "Lars, can you call a taxi? We're going to need it."

Lars nodded eagerly, already reaching for his phone. "On it, Dio," he replied, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

As the taxi arrived, Dio turned to his mom with a determined look. "Mom, I want you to come with us," he said firmly. "We're going out for dinner to celebrate."

His mom's face lit up with surprise and joy. "Of course, Dio," she replied warmly. "I'd love to join you guys."

With a grateful smile, Dio led the way out of the hospital, his friends trailing behind. They piled into the taxi, excitement buzzing in the air as they headed to the restaurant for their celebration.

With everything in place, Dio led the way out of the hospital, his friends following close behind. As they stepped into the waiting taxi, a sense of excitement filled the air, mingling with anticipation for what was to come.

"Where to?" the taxi driver asked, turning slightly to look at us.

I thought for a moment and then replied, "Take us to Dragon Palace, the fancy Chinese restaurant in Oslo."

Settling into the backseat, I decided to test my new skill. I focused on the taxi driver, activating my "Analyze" ability. The air seemed to shimmer slightly as the skill kicked in, revealing a detailed overlay of information about him.

Analyze

Name: Erik Johannsen

Age: 45

Occupation: Taxi Driver

Strengths: Reliable, Knowledgeable about city routes, Friendly

Weaknesses: Prone to occasional lateness, Mild back pain

Background: Erik has been driving taxis for over 20 years. He's a single father raising two kids and works long hours to make ends meet. Despite his gruff exterior, he's known for his generosity and has been recognized for his community service.

Current Emotional State: Calm, Slightly Tired

The skill provided me with a surprising amount of information, almost as if I had known Erik for years. I felt a pang of empathy for him, understanding the hardships he faced.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Hey Erik," I said, making sure to sound casual. "How long have you been driving taxis?"

He glanced at me in the rearview mirror, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Oh, about 20 years now," he replied with a small smile. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," I said, leaning back in my seat. "You must know the city like the back of your hand."

Erik chuckled. "You could say that. I've seen it all—good days, bad days, and everything in between."

As the conversation continued, I marveled at how the "Analyze" skill had given me a deeper understanding of Erik. It was a powerful tool, and I could see how it would be invaluable in my quest to shake the foundations of the corrupt system that had wronged me.

As we pulled up to Dragon Palace, I leaned forward and said, "Erik, can I get your contact information? You've been really helpful, and I might need a reliable driver in the future."

Erik looked pleasantly surprised. "Sure thing, kid," he said, handing me a card with his details.

I took the card and handed him a generous tip. "Thanks for everything, Erik."

He smiled warmly, pocketing the tip. "Anytime, Dio. You take care now."

As we stepped out of the taxi and approached the entrance of Dragon Palace, my mom hesitated, glancing up at the grand façade of the restaurant. "Are you sure this is the right place, Dio?" she asked, her brow furrowed with concern. "This looks very expensive."

I flashed her a reassuring smile, trying to ease her worries. "Don't worry, Mom. Mr. Johan was kind enough to wire me some cash. I want you all to order until your belly bursts."

Lars, always quick with a quip, grinned and chimed in, "Yeah, Mrs. Oh, Dio's got deep connections now."

Mia nodded enthusiastically. "Mrs. Oh, you should try the Peking duck here. It's to die for."

Nora added with a shy smile, "And their dim sum is amazing. Trust us, you deserve to treat yourself."

Emilia, standing beside me, gave a warm smile and said, "And the hot and sour soup is incredible. You won't regret it."

My mom looked around at all of us, a mixture of gratitude and reluctance in her eyes. Finally, she sighed and smiled, her shoulders relaxing. "Alright, if you all insist. But don't blame me if I eat everything in sight."

I laughed, feeling a sense of warmth and camaraderie as we headed inside. The atmosphere of the restaurant was elegant, with soft lighting and the aroma of delicious food wafting through the air. As we were seated, I could see the excitement in everyone's eyes.

"Order whatever you want," I said, gesturing to the menu. "Tonight, we celebrate."

As we began to browse the extensive menu, Lars leaned over and said, "Dio, you've got to try the lobster. It's incredible here."

Mia added, "And the seafood fried rice! It's the best I've ever had."

Nora, still looking a bit shy, said, "And don't forget the mango pudding for dessert."

Emilia joined in, "And their crispy duck rolls are a must-try. Trust me on this one."

My mom looked around at all of us, a contented smile spreading across her face. "Alright, let's enjoy ourselves," she said, picking up her menu.

This was just the beginning of the surprises I had planned for my mom and friends. There was still much work ahead, but for today, we would feast and celebrate the bonds that held us together.

As I raised my glass in a toast, I couldn't help but smile at the faces around me. "To family and friends," I said, my voice filled with emotion.

"Thank you for always being there for me. Here's to many more moments like this together."

With that, we clinked our glasses together, the sound echoing through the restaurant. Today was a day of joy and celebration, a reminder of the strength of our bonds and the power of love and friendship. And as we laughed and ate together, I knew that no matter what the future held, i would ensure that they be safe, as my family.

Dio Stat's Info:

Lvl: 10

Skill Count: 2 (Key selling point)(Analyze)

Strength:32

Agility:22

Intelligence:11

Endurance:19

Charm:22

Dio influence, power & riches:

Money - 1.5million krone

Associate - 2

Asset - 0

Digital Asset - 250 BTC

Goons - 0

Car - 0

Guard - 0

Company - 0