Chapter 4: The System - The Devil's Card

Alex decided that he will have his lunch first, then he will think about the system. He went downstairs and apologized to his sister. "You better behave or else you're done!". She glared at him. After having his lunch, with nothing better to do, he went upstairs and locked himself in.

Alex opened his status again, this time to understand what's was going on. He then received many notifications.

While strolling through the notifications, there was one particular tab that caught his eyes. 'Luck 60%? But I haven't felt lucky in the past 6 months. Samael, please?'

'Well let me tell you how luck works, ok. It's a passive skill with a random chance of activation. Once activated, it will give you, say, 60% support. The rest 40% is your hard work or in case no hard work.'

'You think you're quite unlucky, don't you? Well, let me tell you something smart pants, you're luckier than 90% of the world. I mean- just think about this okay. You're born in the United States of America- The World's Strongest Country, you have got a functional family with everyone alive and you are born in the 21st century. Pretty big deal if you will ask me.'

'Hun? What was that?' Alex read the notification and was brainstorming about it when he received another notification.

*Ding*

After reading all notifications, Alex went to have a drink. After drinking 1 glass of water, he got another notification.

Alex then somehow managed to drink another 2 glasses. He felt like throwing up but he managed himself.

*Ding*

<+10 Exp>

*Ding*

<+2 stat points gained>

Alex decided to put all points in charm as he had no use of other stats right now. He then opened his profile again.

While Alex was in his thoughts, Linda burst through the door. As soon as Alex turned back to give his sister a lesson about "Etiquette"- she said, "Sorry"

"What!- You never say sorry!"

"I know, but today you're just less annoying"

Alex then looked into the mirror on the sidewall, he looked normal. He then checked his status again to find everything the same.

'Hum… so this is the power of charm… I must fill it to the max, it's my main goal now.'

.................

The next day

After waking up, Alex went on exercising for 20 minutes just enough for him to gain Exp and complete his quest.

*Ding*

<+10 Exp>

*Ding*

<+10 Exp>

*Ding*

<+2 stat points gained>

Alex decided to put all points in charm as he had planned. He then went downstairs to get a shower. His charm was now 6 and if he played his cards right he might get his favorite dish for breakfast.

"Alex do you want to visit your father?" said Alicia who had just come from the hospital. "Also, Linda it would be great if you drove your brother there." She said as she slumped down on the sofa exhausted.

"What! Why do I have to drive that loser? He can walk on his own. Also, I'm busy." said Linda as she ran back to her room.

"Don't worry Mom, I can go on my own. Also please take care of yourself, you look so tired."

"Thanks, Alex. With your father in the hospital, it's been difficult to manage my job and home. I have asked for leave but it's more likely that it would be denied as everything is quite chaotic in the company."

"It's ok. Take rest, I will be back soon." said Alex as he took his bike and went on to visit his father.

On his way, he saw a truck on his neighbor's lawn. It looked like they were moving.

"Mr. Jackson, I know you guys were moving but so soon?"

"Oh yeah! Yes" Mr. Jackson replied clumsily. Alex looked at him with pity. The man had been through a lot. His son died in the war and his wife recently died. He remembered the Jacksons family used to host some of the best barbecues in the neighborhood, but that was before their one and only son Mark died in the war. But that wasn't enough to break the man. Mr. Jackson still used to host pool parties, more frequently as he needed emotional support. Mrs. Jackson however, shut herself in from the world. Just after 2 years, she died of cardiac arrest. This was the final straw that broke the man. He loved his wife, more than anything. Now that he had nobody left, he decided he would sell his house and move to the mountains to ' live like a Man'.

"Mr. Jackson please think about this again, you don't have to go through this-"

"It's OK Alex. I have to- I want to. I want to live the rest of my life with nature. I have thought about this thoroughly and I have come to this conclusion. Alex I know how much you cared about us and your father was always there for me during those times. I am sorry that I wasn't able to bid farewell to Robert." He paused and said with a kind voice.