Calling it a Day

Pete was overjoyed.

The Robinhood System had not disappointed him yet. In fact, it was getting better and better.

Now he had a Party Tab? 'Whaaaat?'

A million questions rushed through his mind.

How many members could he add to his party?

Did they have to be of a lower level than he was?

Could he read and manipulate their stats?

What if he wanted more than one party?

Could he give them orders? Make them do things?

Did the Party Tab allow him to design their clothes and hairstyles?

At the moment, the boy felt he must call it a day and rest. He could test out his theories in the morning.

"Here," Pete said to Bree. "Take two gold coins and get yourself new clothes."

[ -2💰 ]

The girl smiled ear to ear, accepting the gift eagerly.

[ Affinity +1 ] [ Likability +1 ]

"Thank you, master. I will get a pretty dress that pleases you."

"Umm, get something that will help you as an adventurer."

Bree nodded at him.

"I guess it's goodbye for now," Pete concluded. He turned and started walking towards the inn.

The boy already had a meal at the Bloody Tooth. So, he needed a place to stay the night and draft his strategy. He had not had a moment to rest since he entered the shoes of Robin Hood. It's not that he was tired, but more like he needed a break.

After a minute, Pete noticed from the corner of his eyes that Bree was following him. She was keeping a safe distance so as not to alert him.

Did the girl decide to attack him again? Or do party members stay with you all the time?

Pete turned around and glared at her with hands on his hips.

"What are you doing, little girl? Did you change your mind?"

Bree smiled at him with sparkling eyes. "I was just following my master. I am to always stay with you since I am your servant."

Pete bit his lip. It was too soon to have her tag along. He needed to be by himself to prevent unnecessary complications. At least until he figured out the essential game dynamics and familiarized himself with the interface.

Not even an entire day had passed since The Robinhood System had been activated. He needed to pace himself and not introduce too many elements into the gameplay at once.

'Besides, I must be wary of traps laid by Aisling. I have no idea what her shady contract entailed.'

Pete patted the girl's shoulder. "Of course. Let's meet tomorrow morning. We'll discuss your living arrangements, then."

Bree frowned for a second, but her smile returned as soon as it had left. "Yes, master! I can wait until the morning!"

The boy looked at her innocent, pretty face. He imagined living with her in the same room. Didn't that happen in manga and anime? Would that be such a bad idea?

'No, she's too young. If she tags along, eventually, I'll get her a different room.'

[ Virtue + 1 ]

'What is this virtue thing?' Pete wondered. 'It keeps piling on and on. I hope it eventually gives me a useful skill or ability.'

The boy sighed and regarded the girl analytically. Bree's character had made an unexpected U-turn. He had encountered her in a dark alley; she threatened to kill him unless he paid up gold. The girl had been a common rogue and a mugger.

After Pete defeated her, fed her, and recruited her into his party, she became cheerful and docile all of a sudden. As if she had found her lost family. There were valuable game dynamics to be learned there. If he kept his affinity and likability high, characters were likely to be fond of him.

"I'll see you later, then," the boy said to her with a smile.

Bree nodded her tiny head, pulled up her hood, and skipped away. She disappeared into one of the dark alleys.

Pete wondered if she would continue to mug and loot passersby. Once she became a permanent member of his party, he would give her an absolute order regarding the matter. Stealing or any sort of crime would be a strict no-no.

The boy resumed his walk towards the inn. Idrisi had given him clear directions to one of the most affordable inns in Nottingham. Pete had insisted that he wanted to save gold at the moment.

The establishment was around a turn, down the main street. On either side were shabby medieval houses or merchant establishments. The road was slightly crowded, but nobody ran into him.

Pete was happy with the outcomes of his last quest. Everything had happened smoothly, leading to bonuses. He was more comfortable with his new body now.

The intelligence. The agility. The natural skills.

'Perfect Gene is indeed amazing! A legendary hero needs perfection such as this!'

However, the Robin Hood storyline was yet to be explored. The only event resembling the hero's life he had seen yet was the archery trials.

Pete walked down the streets, greeting merchants and common folk. The men greeted him back while the young maidens blushed at his smiles and winks.

'Ah, this is the good life,' he thought. 'I am perfectly equipped. I'll ace this game in no time.'

Pete heard a tower bell ring somewhere far off. As he turned the corner into a lonely street, the sun dipped below the horizon and set.

The sky took on a dark palette. It was the first time the boy had seen Nottingham in darkness. The street lamps lit up as if by magic, casting a dim light against the lonesome street.

Ding!

[ The Sun Has Set! ]

[ THE ROBINHOOD SYSTEM is SHUTTING DOWN! ]

Pete was so shocked that he fell on his ass. 'Umm, what the hell?'

[ Autosave Successful ]

[ Advisory: Kindly Retreat to a Safe Location ]

"What is going on??" the boy exclaimed aloud.

[ Shutting Down… ]

Blip!

Pete felt his body transforming. His height diminished, and his body mass spurted and grew.

"No, no, no, no, no!"

Blobs of fat erupted from his gut. His arms became thick and flabby. His butt grew into a pumpkin. The hair became scruffy and unmanageable. Pete's face bloated into a round shape with a double chin.

'This is a nightmare!'

The boy looked at his body under the lamp lights and gasped. He had turned back to his former self!

Pete was fat and worthless again!