Chapter 21: Hidden Reward

Standing in the sunlight, he savored the moment for a bit.

He didn't know why, but after being reborn, he had developed a special appreciation for peaceful moments like this.

And honestly, most of us are so busy with our lives that we don't even take a moment to stop and savor the beauty around us.

We even forget why we are working so hard in the first place.

Isn't it all just to live in the moment and enjoy the beauty of the world?

But why is it that when we see a beautiful flower, a majestic tree, or feel a cool breeze, instead of stopping to appreciate it, we ignore it—always in a hurry, always chasing something.

Honestly, when was the last time you had a completely idle day, free from the weight of the past and the worries of the future?

Just enjoying the beauty around you.

When was the last time you sat without any worry or tension and simply admired the moon?

How long has it been since you watched a sunrise or sunset?

Or sat with your loved ones, truly present, without distractions?

Yes, we are physically present in the moment, but mentally, we are either lost in the past or rushing toward the future.

When was the last time you put your phone away and had a genuine conversation with the people who matter most?

…

Cherish your loved ones while they are still here. Because this moment—this fleeting, irreplaceable moment—is the most precious thing you will ever have.

If you were to ask a dying person what they regret the most, their answer would often be the same—getting lost in the pursuit of life and neglecting these fleeting, peaceful moments, especially those spent with their loved ones.

No one knows the future. Maybe this will be the last time you'll ever talk to them, see them smile, or simply exist beside them.

This time, this moment—it will be gone forever, never to return.

As he stood there, lost in thought, these realizations flooded his mind, especially when thinking about his past self's parents.

Who would have imagined that on an ordinary morning, they would leave for work, never to return?

A wave of melancholy washed over him.

Especially realizing how, instead of truly living.

He had spent his last life buried in studies, work and chasing success.

And for what?

Wasn't it all for a "better life"? 

Yet, instead of truly living that life, he kept chasing more and more, never realizing that the moments he ignored were his real life.

Yes, those moments may not be perfect, he may not have all the riches of the world.

But can we only enjoy life when we have all the riches of the world?

He couldn't even remember the last time he watched a sunrise or sat in a comfortable chair gazing at the moon.

Every day had been the same: waking up, going to work, going home and never once stopping to appreciate the moment, the sunlight—just like now.

A shiver ran down his spine as he thought about how he had spent his previous life like a zombie.

His body had been alive, but his mind was already dead.

And now, he was truly grateful to have been given a second chance at life.

This time, he had decided to live freely—to truly enjoy everything this world had to offer.

Just then, a system prompt echoed in his mind, and a translucent screen appeared before him.

"[Congratulations to the host for contemplating the meaning of life. You have unlocked a hidden reward.]"

He was a bit surprised to see the system suddenly appear, but when he saw the hidden reward, his melancholy lifted immediately.

After all, there was no point dwelling on the past. What was gone was gone, and the only thing he could do now was live his future well—without regrets.

With that thought, he felt lighter and turned his attention back to the rewards.

He clicked on the reward, and immediately, two pieces of information appeared in front of him.

"[Congratulations! The host has received a subtle improvement in temperament.]"

"[Note: This is the host's natural temperament, which would have developed over time. The system has merely accelerated the process.]"

Seeing that the first reward was an enhancement to his temperament, he was immediately delighted.

Temperament was a mysterious thing. It was an elusive yet powerful trait—something unseen yet deeply felt.

Temperament alone could leave a huge impact on a person. Even if someone was only ordinary-looking, a refined temperament could make them appear far more attractive than someone handsome but lacking temperament.

And it wasn't something one could simply acquire at will; it was shaped by birth, status, achievements, experiences—both joyful and painful—wealth, and wisdom.

So, getting an improvement in temperament was far more valuable than most people would realize.

With excitement, he clicked on the second reward.

With a flash of blinding light, a sleek pair of black glasses with transparent lenses appeared before him.

"[Aeon Glasses: A special artifact designed to enhance learning efficiency and boost the host's charm.]"

"[Basic Function: Enhances neural processing and boosts synaptic efficiency for rapid reading and comprehension.

Secondary Effect 1: Optimized to enhance the host's facial features, increasing their overall charm.

Secondary Effect 2: Grants the wearer a refined and intellectual aura.

Note: Only works on the system host.]"

Reading the description, he immediately felt a rush of adrenaline and clenched his fist in excitement.

He almost jumped up in excitement, but with the last bit of rationality, he barely restrained himself—after all, he was still in a public walkway.

This reward was beyond his imagination. It was something he hadn't even thought about,

And honestly, he didn't even know such an item could exist.

An artifact like this was practically tailor-made for him, especially now that he needed to read and learn extensively about this world.

With these glasses, his efficiency would increase multiple times compared to before.

And while the secondary effects seemed minor, their impact on his appearance could be significant.

Thinking about this, he couldn't help but laugh.

Standing near a busy pathway, every passing student gave him strange looks,

Especially because of his odd behavior and his current disheveled appearance, which, to be honest, looked quite funny.

His clothes were wrinkled, his hair was a mess, and worst of all, his face was covered in lipstick marks.

Seeing the passing student's glance at him curiously, he finally remembered his current state.

Embarrassment hit him immediately.

Without wasting another second, he hurried toward the nearest washroom.

After scrubbing his face clean and straightening his clothes.

He finally looked like the handsome Rex again.

Although he still had classes in the afternoon, he knew he wouldn't understand much anyway.

So, after some contemplation, he decided to head to the library instead.

He was itching to test the power of the "Aeon Glasses".

Besides, there was still so much he didn't know about this world.

What better place to gain knowledge than a library?

Especially a library in a prestigious university like this.

These libraries contained countless rare books—books you couldn't find outside, not even on the internet.

A hidden treasure trove of knowledge gathered from all around the world.

With that thought, he made his way toward one of the most famous and comprehensive libraries at UCLA.

"Powell Library."

Soon, he arrived at Powell Library, one of UCLA's most iconic buildings, renowned for both its beauty and its status as a central academic hub.

The library's stunning Romanesque Revival architecture, with its grand arches, vaulted ceilings, and intricate details, gave it a timeless, academic aura.

As he stepped inside the grand and magnificent library, he instantly felt an overwhelming literary atmosphere wash over him.

Even though it was lunchtime, the library was bustling with students.

Yet, the only sounds that filled the space were the soft rustling of pages, the occasional whispers of study groups, and the rhythmic tapping of keyboards.

The interior was bright and spacious, designed to accommodate both quiet, individual study areas and collaborative group spaces.

He was particularly impressed by the main reading room—an awe-inspiring space with high, arched ceilings and large windows that bathed the area in warm, natural light.

After taking a moment to admire the library, he headed straight for his destination.

The section where historical records and books were stored.

Most students were too absorbed in their studies to notice him, though a few glanced curiously in his direction.

But he wasn't in the mood to care about their gazes.

After all, he'd already had his fill of attention in the cafeteria.

With the help of his memories and directions, he reached the 'history section.'

But as he navigated through the vast collection of books, he suddenly found himself at a loss.

Faced with an overwhelming number of titles, he hesitated.

Not knowing where should he even begin?

(End of Chapter)