Chapter 8 - Neko

Seon-mi found herself in a karaoke bar, having stealthily snuck past the receptionist to reach the room next to the thugs. It was a private establishment owned and moderated by the Kikuchi clan, one of the five Yakuza families that ran the district in the shadows. The dark, empty karaoke room provided a hidden vantage point as she listened to the rowdy sounds emanating from the men in the adjacent room.

The map that showed on her system box had expanded when she entered the building giving her precise details on the number of enemies and their exact locations within the room.

She tapped on the shop again, she was searching for the gun that would be gifted as a reward for finishing this mission. After scrolling for a few minutes she found it.

"There it is"

SMITH & WESSON M&P 9mm (* *)

Type: Handgun

Level: 1

Attachment Potential: 2

Difficulty: Very Easy

DPB - Damage per Bullet: 75

PRICE: 1500

- SAVE FOR LATER -

- ADD TO CART -

- BUY NOW -

"It's worth 1,500 coins? That's more coins than I'd know what to even do with. Am I even able to sell items, not that I'd want to sell it but I like knowing I have the option"

Seon-mi navigated through the shop for a few more minutes until she found the 'sell' tab.

SELL

YOU HAVE NOT SOLD ANY ITEMS

"I knew it! You can sell items. That's really gonna come in handy later on. Let's check on how they're doing in there"

She opened up the map again, the men had split off into two groups. One group stayed inside the room while the others left the building. Seon-mi knew this was her cue to leave. She exited the dark room and snuck out through the back.

"Phew, not a bad first recon mission if I do say so myself, but I didn't really get to see any faces. I don't even know if these men are what this system says they are, they could be innoce-"

Seon-mi's trail of thought was cut short by the group of men exiting the karaoke bar. They seemed like they were headed towards the convenience store located behind the bar, as they walked around the building, their path intersecting with Seon-mi's hiding spot. Thinking on her feet, she sat on the floor, clutching an empty cup she grabbed off the ground.

The men strolled past, the only thing they saw was a hooded figure resembling a homeless person seeking refuge. One man, who wore a trashy, button down, leopard print shirt, with a blazer that didn't match, a gold chain hanging off of his neck and snake skin shoes, halted and approached with a smug expression. Despite his interference, Seon-mi maintained her act, still playing the roll of a drunk homeless person. The man kicked the cup out of Seon-mi's hands, inducing laughter from the group as they continued on their way.

"Oi..." he said.

Seon-mi still kept her head down.

"I better not see you here when we get back, got it?" He scoffed and rejoined the group.

It was then that a small frail figure emerged and approached Seon-mi.

It was a boy, he looked about 18 years old. He had long black hair, with bangs that covered his eyes, wearing a school uniform that had clearly seen better days. He rushed to Seon-mi, picked up the cup and put some money inside it before placing the cup back in Seon-mi's hand, who's head was still hung to conceal her identity.

"I'm so sorry sir, please forgive them." The boy said as he hurried off to rejoin the group.

Seon-mi looked up and watched as they faded into the distance.

"Why would someone like that be with men like them? Looks like this recon mission was a good idea, I'm glad I didn't rush this. I need to get the full story here "

Seon-mi stood up and dusted herself off. Then a notification box appeared:

THERE IS A TIME SENSITIVE MISSION NEARBY!

OBJECTIVE: CATCH THE CAT

TIME REMAINING: 5:00

REWARD:

- 20 XP

- 10 COINS

- KATANA (CUSTOMISABLE)

"Another one? It's one of those timed ones again, it wants me to... catch a cat? Is that a joke?" 

Just as Seon-mi was contemplating what to do next, a snow white cat with a bell on its neck hopped onto the fence in front of her.

"Nope, not gonna do it. I'll look like a crazy person chasing a cat through the neighbourhood. Sorry it's not happening."

The cat strutted along the fence with elegance, the bell around its neck ringing as it took each step, then it hopped off the fence onto a car and was about to pass on by.

"No, I'm not doing it"

TIME REMAINING: 4:30

"Ughh fine! Dammit..."

Seon-mi chased after the cat, hopping fences and digging through bushes in an attempt to grab it but it was always one step ahead.

"This isn't working, I need to think"

The timer continued to tick

TIME REMAINING: 2:26

"C'mon Seon-mi, use your brain... That's it! My brain! Let's hope this works"

She summoned the System box and navigated to the 'skills & Attributes' page increasing one of her stats.

ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO INCREASE:

IQ: 16 (+2)

NO - YES

She tapped yes and immediately a pleasurable surge of energy coursed through her brain.

"I've got it!"

Seon-mi dipped into the nearest convenience store and came out with a small can of cat food. She looked at the timer again

TIME REMAINING: 0:56

"Crap, there isn't much time left"

Seon-mi opened the can and set it on the floor outside the convenience store and waited patiently in the shadows.

After a few seconds the cat appeared and approached the food, it smelt it for a moment then began to eat. Seon-mi tip toed quietly behind the feline, bent down and petted it.

"Aww you're not so bad are you neko" she said.

The familiar notification sound dinged, Seon-mi looked to her left where the system box floated while still petting the cat.

MISSION COMPLETE

REWARD:

- 20 XP

- 10 COINS

- KATANA (CUSTOMISABLE)

"I can't believe this system can alter even my IQ, that's amazing." she thought to herself as she continued to pet the cat.

"I should probably head home to level up."

She picked up the empty cat food tin and threw it in the trash

As she stood to leave an unexpected occurrence took place, the cat brushed up against her legs, a sign that a cat either wants to be picked up or wants to show you affection.

"You're adorable little guy, but I can't take you with me, your family will be looking for you." She continued down the street but the cat persisted, following her all the way home.

"So you're a stray huh? What about this bell on your coll-" as Seon-mi bent down to look at the cats collar she noticed it was gone.

"Strange, I could've sworn there was a bell... Well I guess it's you and me now little guy, cmon in" she entered her house with her newly acquired comrade, shutting the door behind her.