- Saved For A Rainy Day

The whole abandoned building was quiet, save for the hums from the fluorescent light above. The earlier welcoming celebration had ended prematurely. A cold, light breeze flowed through the building as the silence of the night slowly enveloped it.

Frizz stood at the edge of the floor, taking in the view and looking beneath at the distant street. His expression was a mix of boredom and anxiety. The floating eyeball will arrive at any moment, giving new orders.

"Hey, you don't need to come with us," Divine Hesoyam Rosa commented, noticing Frizz's uncertainty.

"Really? Hei just gave me an experience shard."

"Hei will insist on you joining us, but Nathaniel and I can convince him to let you rest for now," Divine added in understanding, empathizing with the rather eventful week that Frizz had.

"I have a feeling that you and Nathaniel may not see eye to eye. I want to avoid that kind of situation. He agreed to help me convince Hei to give you some time to process, to take things slow," Divine explained, beaming a smile.

The memory of Divine's bare figure lingered in Frizz's mind, causing a sudden and unshakeable sense of arousal. It was invading his mind, unable to shrug it away. "Yes, that would help..."

Divine raised a brow upon seeing a faded blush. "You finished college?" She asked, making small talk.

"Yes, I graduated three years ago. You?" Frizz answered, tapping his left shoe.

"I dropped. Financial problems."

"Planning to enroll again?"

"Why would I? I am a max-level character!" Divine remarked as Frizz slightly furrowed his brows. "I saw the world from space, you know. Everything is so small..." There was a small gleam in Divine's eyes.

The remark piqued Frizz's interest, wanting to hear more. "You've been to space?"

"Hey, Divine!" Nathaniel called from across the room. "How much does a broken iPhone go for?" Nathaniel leaned against a table; scattered were the items he looted from the kidnappers.

"Don't sell it, repair it!"

The sight of the loot reminded Frizz that he had a stash of his own. The amount he stole was more than a hundred thousand pesos, and he has yet to spend most of it. (I should buy a new phone.)

An instant flash shot through Frizz. It was Nathaniel Macaraeg and Divine Hesoyam Rosa massacring the already defeated kidnappers. Their screams for mercy echoed in his mind, making him feel guilty. A question formed in his mind.

Frizz was aware that his question could be offensive, yet he persisted in asking, "Listen, back then, did you really have to kill most of them? The kidnappers?"

Divine darted her eyes towards Frizz, side-eyeing him as she took a moment to think of an answer. The pause was slightly unnerving, but he patiently waited for an answer.

"Yes, it was necessary," Divine confessed. "We didn't end all of them because that would be too much, but we made sure to end most of them. There were around fifty of them, right?" The answer was callous and cold; however, it was delivered in a nonchalant tone, as if it were a daily task.

"You still killed thirty..."

Divine's expression was inscrutable as her glare became lifeless and relaxed. "We can't level up anymore because we've hit our max level, but we can still earn experience points," she added while producing a soft gust of air from her hands. "The excess can be converted into experience shards, and the shards can be exchanged for magical equipment or money."

"Defeating someone earns you ten experience, but for you second-raters, that can be upwards of twenty or thirty."

"Killing someone nets you fifty, maybe eighty experience, depending on how they were executed. Silent kills, headshots, and death by magic have their own multipliers."

"Objectives, quests, tasks, achievements, and daily quests are viable sources too," Divine added, stepping closer to Frizz. "Animals can be a source of experience too, but the amount is negligible."

Divine was about to say something, but she hesitated. "Frizz, these systems may be nice and all, but they come at a price. Hei said that us third-rate levelers are more grounded, but you second-rate levelers are a bit erratic. The more powerful you get, the more the system takes away from you."

"My ex was a second-rate leveler; she was a former member too, and let's say she was very, very not so up there," Divine added, her lips curling as she was reminded of her controversial ex-girlfriend.

Divine suddenly looked up, as if catching something. "We've got to go. You can head home on your own. We will try to convince Hei to give you some time to relax. We will contact you in a few days."

"Nathaniel, let's go. I received an emergency ping," Divine ordered as she lowered her upper half; her bottom was close and in full display to Frizz, who promptly redirected his gaze. *Boom!*

A strong gust of wind forced Frizz to step back and shield his eyes while Nathaniel disappeared from sight. (That speed! How fast was she!?) 

Frizz sighed and dusted off his clothes, preparing to fly away and head home.

Early morning... 

Frizz yawned while eating his breakfast. His father had cooked him a huge meal again. Two fried eggs, two slices of steak, and four pieces of sausage. "Where's Ryan?"

"Already left, only ate some eggs, and that's it," Weng answered, reading the news on his tablet while slowly leaning towards Frizz. "Listen, have you ever been to Haray, neighborhood near the city?"

"That crappy neighborhood?"

"Well, as always, drugs are making a comeback. What say you and I burn down some houses?"

"What?" Frizz exclaimed, chewing on a steak chunk.

"Drug houses. The police won't do shit, and the government is busy sucking its own cock too," Weng, his older brother, explained, causing his younger brother, Frizz, to furrow his brows.

"Fine, maybe tomorrow."

Weng nodded, going back to reading the local news.

Three hours later... 

The convenience store was almost empty; there were no customers during this hour. Yani, with a huge grin on her face, approached Frizz, who recently finished stocking. Frizz motioned for Yani to join her at the indoor table.

"I sent my bully to the hospital, burned her bags, and fractured the legs of her two friends," Yani announced, causing Frizz to open his mouth in disbelief.

"I just sat down. Who starts a conversation with that?" Frizz exclaimed, scratching the back of his head. "You're not supposed to abuse your goddamned powers."

"I am currently level eight," Yani announced.

Frizz's brows furrowed in surprise. It hasn't been a week yet, and she already leveled up to thirteen. A small realization popped. "Do you get perks every level?"

"Yes! You too!?"

"Lower your voice, and what was that about your bullies?" Frizz said with a heavy tone due to the fact that there was another second-rate leveler with faster progress. (I shouldn't get her involved with SQ.)

"Princess... a bitch and a bully," Yani added, massaging her scars. "I was a victim. Every week or so, they would use me for a video challenge, pull my hair, kick my bag, and throw away my lunch." Tears trickled down her soft cheeks, recalling the painful memories.

Then Yani faced forward, morphing her dejected face into exhilaration. "However, I am now liberated. Those who wronged me have faced their punishment. I still have a very long list, and I intend to finish it." Her words were full of determination, intending to make good on her promise.

Frizz scanned the new leveler, Yani. He could sympathize with her situation since he was bullied before. However, it paled in comparison to what she experienced. The most hurtful experience he had was when the bullies tore up his uniform, and even then it was mostly an accident. "I know your pain."

"But this isn't the way. Don't be excessive with your powers. You don't want to attract some bad eyes," Frizz said as Yani nodded, listening and taking his words to heart.

"You really know what you're doing!" Yani remarked, leaning closer while beaming a smile. "How about we partner up? We're stronger together, right?"

"Hey..." A voice interrupted the two. It was Mina. "Frizz, do you have some time later? I want to clear up any misunderstandings." Her words were frail.

Yani rose up from her seat. The height difference was apparent. "We're rather busy tonight, and your boyfriend might get upset again."

Mina silently clicked her tongue, seething while she forced a smile, appearing polite. "This is between me and Frizz. I never asked you anything." The woman in front stood between her goals

Sensing a drama ahead. Frizz stood up. "I can only spare a few minutes, Mina and Yani. Please sweep the floor," he said, planning to get back to his job and avoid any further drama.

The two women stood by, observing as Frizz entered the breakroom, before continuing their heated glares and walking away from each other.

(What a fucking bitch, cheating whore.) Yani mused, grabbing a mop.

(Nosy skank, her breath stinks.) Mina thought, adjusting her pants.