Meanwhile, across the city, Alister stood outside a brightly lit snack shop, his reflection staring back at him from the massive glass display windows.
Inside, colorful treats basically called for him, a collection of sweet delights that could brighten any day.
But he wasn’t for himself. He was here to get something for his sister, Miyu. The weight of the day’s events hung heavy on his shoulders.
He wanted to see Miyu’s smile, even a small one, it would be more than enough to brighten his day.
The shop was filled with all sorts of pastries, each more beautiful than the last. There were flaky croissants dusted with sugar, glistening fruit tarts with glazed berries, and delicate cupcakes piled high with frosting.
Alister’s gaze lingered on a vibrantly colored macaron tower.
“Miyu always loved macarons,” he murmured to himself, picturing her bright eyes lighting up at the sight of them.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his mind, a voice that only he could hear – the System.
[Notice! There are still 09:03:45 left for daily quest completion.]
Taking a deep breath, Alister muttered to himself.
“Well, I guess just standing here like this won’t help anything.”
He reached for the shop door, the calm ring of the bell echoing as he pushed it open.
The warm scent of sugar and vanilla filled his nostrils, momentarily dispelling the thoughts swirling in his mind.
As he stepped inside, the friendly smile of the shop owner greeted him.
“Welcome! Can I interest you in some of our fresh pastries today?” she spoke, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
Alister glanced at the display case once more, his gaze lingering on the macaron tower.
He turned to face the woman by the counter and spoke calmly, “Some macarons… please.”
….
Moments later, Alister stepped out of the brightly lit shop, the weight on his shoulders feeling a little lighter thanks to the box of macarons nestled in his hand. He knew the hospital where Miyu stayed wasn’t far, a walk he’d done countless times before.
“Thanks for the purchase! Come see us again soon!” the shop owner chirped behind him. Alister offered a small nod and disappeared into the crowd.
…
As he walked down the road past holographic ad posts and bus stops, he couldn’t help but glance at the hovering system window with the timer, his mind flashing back to the moment The received the chain quest.
‘To complete mastery of combat with the clawed gauntlets.’ the words echoed in his thoughts. It was strange, to say the least.
‘Achieving mastery of a particular fighting style typically takes years, if not a decade. Although the system seems to make me stronger by leveling up, how long does it expect me to take to achieve mastery? Is there even a reward for it?’
Alister let out a calm sigh.
‘Guess I’ll find out how long it takes as I continue to level up.’
As Alister continued to walk, the hospital slowly came into view, causing him to quicken his pace. He pushed through the revolving doors and made his way to the reception counter, where a nurse was busy typing on a holographic keyboard.
“Excuse me.”
“I’d like to visit a patient.”
Alister said, keeping his voice steady.
The nurse looked up, her expression polite but professional. “Oh, it’s you Mr Hazenworth. Who are you here to see?”
“Who else but my sister, Miyu,” Alister replied.
The nurse nodded, checking her screen before handing him a visitor’s card. “Here you go. The doctor has been trying to contact you for a while. After you visit your sister, please make sure to see him.”
Alister took the card, feeling a bit uneasy due to the nurse’s words. “Thank you,” he said, then headed toward the elevator.
…
The elevator dinged softly as it reached the fourth floor. Alister stepped out and walked down the hallway, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling the air. He stopped in front of Miyu’s room, hesitating for a moment before knocking softly.
“Come in,” a faint voice called from inside.
Alister pushed the door open gently. Miyu was sitting up in bed, her frail frame propped against a stack of pillows. Despite the paleness of her skin and the dark circles under her yellow eyes, she managed a weak smile when she saw him.
“Hey, Alister,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Hey, Miyu,” Alister replied, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. He walked over to her bedside and held up the box of macarons. “I brought you something.”
Miyu’s eyes lit up, a sparkle of joy breaking through her exhaustion. “Macarons! You remembered.”
“Of course,” Alister said, sitting down beside her. He opened the box, revealing the colorful treats inside, “I got your favorites. I know how much you love these.”
Miyu giggled as she reached out, her fingers trembling slightly as she picked up a pink macaron. She took a small bite, savoring the sweet, delicate flavor. “These are perfect,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Alister.”
For a moment, the weight of his quest and the System’s demands faded away. Seeing Miyu’s smile, even for just a moment, made everything else seem insignificant. Alister watched as she enjoyed her treat, feeling a warmth spread through his chest.
“How are you feeling today?”
Miyu shrugged, her expression growing more serious. “Some days are better than others.”
Alister watched Miyu savoring her macaron, a smile forming on his lips. Suddenly, Miyu’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
“So, where’s Yanzi? Have you two taken things to the next level yet?” she asked, grinning playfully. “Should I start preparing to be an aunt?”
Alister let out a dry laugh. “Very funny, Miyu. What do you think I am, some sort of dog?”
Miyu chuckled, her laughter light and infectious. “Loosen up, Alister,” she said, grabbing another macaron and handing it to him. “Here, have one.”
He accepted the macaron, biting into it as he settled back into his chair. The sweetness spread across his tongue, but Miyu’s next question nearly made him choke.
“So, what sort of talent did you awaken? It should have been past your awakening ceremony
by now. What is it?”
Alister’s lips curled into a smug expression. “If you want me to tell you, you’re going to have to call me ‘big brother.””
Miyu rolled her eyes, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Oh, come on, Alister. What exactly do you get from me calling you that?”
Alister faked a tearful expression. “Back when we were young, you would call me that all the time. But ever since you grew up, you just call me by my name. Oh, what I would give to go
back to those precious days.”
Miyu let out a sigh. “Alright, fine, big bro-”
Before she could finish, she started coughing up blood violently and suddenly lost
consciousness. Alister’s eyes widened in shock as he yelled, “Miyu!”