My alarm clock screamed at 7:00 AM like it had been personally wronged.
I slapped it so hard it almost slid off the nightstand, then buried my head back into the pillow.
Ding!
> [Good morning, Host. Today's task sequence is ready.]
I cracked one eye open. "System… do you ever say 'good morning' without making me regret waking up?"
> [First task: Knock on your neighbor's door and borrow a toothbrush.]
[Reward: $150]
I sat up slowly, rubbing my face. "…You want me to what?"
> [Borrow a toothbrush.]
"From a stranger?"
> [Neighbor.]
"Same difference!"
The system, as usual, didn't care about my emotional trauma.
---
Five minutes later, I was standing outside my neighbor's apartment door in my crumpled T-shirt, hair sticking up like I'd been electrocuted.
I knocked.
Footsteps approached. The door creaked open to reveal a guy in his twenties wearing nothing but boxers and a suspicious glare.
"Yeah?"
I plastered on my most sheepish smile. "Uh… can I borrow a toothbrush?"
His eyebrows climbed into his hairline. "You serious?"
"Completely. Promise I'll return it clean."
The door shut in my face.
I was about to walk away when it swung back open — and a brand new toothbrush came flying out. I caught it by the handle.
"…Thanks?"
He just grunted and shut the door again.
Ding!
> [Task complete. +$150 credited.]
---
The next notification came instantly.
> [Second task: Stand in the middle of the crosswalk and shout 'I love you' to the first person who makes eye contact.]
[Reward: $200]
I groaned. "So today is just… public humiliation day?"
> [Correct.]
---
Two hours later, I was standing in the middle of a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change.
A girl in a school uniform looked up from her phone and accidentally met my eyes.
I cupped my hands around my mouth. "I LOVE YOU!"
She froze mid-step. Then her face turned red and she bolted to the other side of the street without looking back.
Some guy on a bike nearly fell over laughing.
Ding!
> [Task complete. +$200 credited.]
---
I had barely recovered from that when the third and final task hit.
> [Third task: Enter the nearest supermarket. Walk to the cashier, slap $50 on the counter, and loudly declare it's for their 'good looks.']
[Reward: $300]
"System, you're going to get me arrested."
> [Host consented to challenges. Please proceed.]
---
The supermarket was busy. I found the cashier — a young guy with bleached hair and bored eyes.
I pulled $50 from my pocket, slapped it down, and said loud enough for half the store to hear:
"This is for your good looks."
The guy stared at me. Then he cracked a grin and pocketed the bill like it was totally normal. "Thanks, man."
A customer in the queue muttered, "Wish someone would pay me for my face."
Ding!
> [Task complete. +$300 credited.]
---
By the time I got home, I'd made $650. In one morning.
I flopped on the couch, laughing in disbelief. "System… I don't know whether to thank you or start planning my funeral."
> [Prepare for tomorrow. It will be… unforgettable.]
Somehow, I didn't find that comforting.