Sum Ting Wong isolated himself within his apartment, he was pacing about while staring at the piece of paper that he tightly clenched, frowning.
$1,200.
That was the amount of money that Wong had to gather to buy the required textbooks. Not to mention, he still had to buy other supplementary materials for his study. No matter how he looked at his current situation, it was time to look for a job.
From here on, having a Cook as his class, the first thing that came to Wong's mind when he was searching for a job was something related to the food industry.
And he did work in one...
"Well then, I'm leaving first."
After saying goodbye to his co-workers, Wong left the restaurant. It had been 3 days since he got a job in a pizza restaurant named Panty Pizza.... as a delivery guy. Apparently, that was the best position he could get when he had zero experience working in the restaurant.
But working as a pizza delivery guy wasn't a bad job either. In three days, after working for 10 hours per day, the total amount of money that Wong had gathered was 419$
At first, Wong was confident he could have enough money if he worked for 10 days straight, but there was some small problem on the fourth day.
When Wong awoke, it was to some very weird notifications. As he opened his eyes, he inspected the floating screens.
You have been afflicted with Influenza level 1.
You have been afflicted with Common Cold level 1.
Apparently working for 10 hours each day while living in such an uncomfortable lifestyle with bland food and zero entertainment was enough to make him sick.
"Well... I'll get better. I'll get better." Wong repeated to himself, feebly rubbing away at his arms in a sickly attempt to cease the unsettling chill that continued to run down his spine and made his skin crawl.
He wanted to not going to his class and job and just resting in his apartment. Not going to the class in the second week wasn't a big problem, but if Wong didn't come to his job, he was sure another guy would take his place. Not without any reason though, as the only reason Wong could get this job, even though he only went job hunting for one day was that the last delivery guy got sick and the restaurant owner immediately replaced him with Wong.
So even though Wong didn't want to come, he couldn't help but think of that poor guy... And the fact that he didn't want to redo his job hunting.
With no other choices, Wong got up, went to his class, and worked for another 10 hours.
But on the fifth day...
You have been afflicted with Common Cold level 2.
More screens awaited Wong as he woke up.
Overnight, his sickness had gotten worse, with Common Cold apparently reached Level 2. Sitting up, Wong held out a tissue and put it under his stuffy nose. He had had this cold for two days now, and he was getting worried. After he was finished blowing his nose, he threw it away and opened his status screen.
Sum Ting Wong
Level: 1
Class: Cook 1
AP: 0
Health(/R per hour): 55/56 (2.9 > -0.1)
Mana(/R per hour): 71 (8.6 > 3.6)
Stamina(/R per min): 72 (1.97 > 0.77 )
Strength: 5
Endurance: 5
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Vitality: 5
Agility: 5
Dexterity: 7
Intelligence: 7
Wisdom: 6
Focus: 4
Willpower: 2
Charisma: 4
Wong was stunned when he found out his health had been reduced by one, and his health regen per hour had become negative. But then he shook his head. Although it might be dangerous, he didn't plan on laying in his bed forever. In fact, despite his usual yellow golden skin glowed in the worst way and his limbs fell limply when he stood up, got changed, and went to deliver more pizzas.
But he was such a naive guy for thinking that his condition would eventually improve. In fact...
You have been afflicted with Common Cold level 3.
When Wong was driving his scooter, delivering the last order of the day, a new screen appeared, telling him his condition had gotten worsened.
"Whatever *snort*. Let's go home."
Today's work ended up surprisingly late, it was already two hours late than the usual time. And Wong couldn't believe it, but he was happy just because he could finally go home and rest.
But, he had to return the scooter first.
Wong drove his scooter and got on the route back. It was 30 minutes drive from his current location to Panty Pizza and another 30 minutes of walk to get back to his shitty apartment in the suburbs.
Considering it was completely dark outside, Wong thought that he should be careful when he drove. It wouldn't exactly be a joke if he fell asleep at the wheel and ran someone down.
You have been afflicted with Influenza level 2.
Along with the appearance of the new notification, Wong noticed there were almost no cars or people around here, so it was very unlikely for him to get into an accident. It didn't take much for Wong to change his mind and disregarded speed limits, opening the throttle wide.
While thinking about whether or not Fast Food could create Warm Water, Wong yawned. He was feeling sleepy, thinking it was the best for him to go to bed soon as he got home.
But after Wong finished yawning, he was greeted by some very weird notification.
You have received a new quest!
"...What?"
Wong hadn't even finished reading the notification when...
Crash!!
Wong's body flung forwards, his forehead colliding with his status screen before he was rolling down on the tarmac, his scooter and him, the roughness of the road biting at his skin. Then there was a pain to come and nothing that could be done about it.
For a nanosecond, he didn't understand what happened. No, his mind refused to accept what happened. Because, no matter how he thought about it, that sound -.
"W... What? What did I hit?"
Despite having many bruises, cuts, and scratches yet Wong knew he must stand up and glimpsed at the surrounding area.
There was no one around. Maybe Wong should escape now?
"...No, isn't this what a hit-and-runner would think?
There was a sharp pain on Wong's body but he still approached the bod, he had to check on what he hit.
Gulping his nervousness down, with every step, Wong silently hoped that it was an animal, a dog or maybe a cat. Though, even if it was animal he still felt pretty bad about them, then again, he still didn't want it to be a person.
He opened his phone, there was a little crack but he still could use its flashlight and shine it on the laying body.
"...What the?"
There was something, but it was too big for an animal but too small for a human. A child? No, it was too muscular for children. And it was almost naked... Wong could see its green skin with a loincloth covering its groin.
"Are there any people looking like that around here in this neighbourhood?"
He was relieved that it wasn't a person. No, but there were problems with this too. Wong didn't know how to explain if someone else saw him.
"Gi...-- Gii..."
To Wong's surprise, when a strange voice came out he jumped backwards and tried to enter some defensive posture that he had seen from a Kung-fu flick... Only for him to feel a crippling pain when he moved his left arm.
But this wasn't the time to worry about his arm.
"I...It's still alive?"
Staring at the fallen alien, it was faintly moving. Blood... purple blood was spilling from its mouth as the health bar on the top of its head slowly diminished. Also, its body was bent in a weird way.
"W-what should I do? Taking it to a hospital? But how the fuck can I explain... This thing?"
Not to mention, no matter how Wong saw it, there was no way the hospital could save it.
Wait... This thing is... Alien, no, an alien won't be wearing a dirty loincloth... so... a Cryptids, right? Wouldn't I'll become rich if I manage to capture one of them? But who should I contact? A regular hospital? Area 51?
As Wong thought that, the creature glared at him with trembling eyes before it slowly closed his eyes.
And died.
You have gained 40 experience.
Your level has risen to 2.
Congratulations! You have earned 2 Cp and 1 Sp!
Your level has risen to 3.
Congratulations! You have earned 2 Cp and 1 Sp!
"Oh? I gain 2 level? Wait, wait, wait, this isn't important right now!"
Wong was planning to take the alien body, even though he still didn't know what he should do with it, but...
"Huh?"
The corpse... was gone. It had abruptly disappeared as if it was never there, but right around where the corpse of the alien was there was now a... tooth? or maybe a fang?
"....."
A weird creature.
A screen popped up as soon as the dog died.
And now a tooth that was right where the alien's corpse was.
"This is... a loot, right? Why a tooth though?"
Unsure of what he should do, Wong put the tooth in his pocket and started driving again... or so he hoped.
Wong turned the key and just sat on the top of the dented scooter for a moment, listening to the purr of the dying engine.
"...Shit... He (the owner) will fire... no.... eviscerate me."