The Banana ...

After spending a day with Ella and promising to meet her soon again, he returned to his apartment. The new situation still amazes him. Ethan blinked in surprise as the system prompt appeared before him.

[Side Quest (Daily) - Reject Humanity, Return to Monke]

[Warning: This quest cannot be declined!]

[Not fulfilling the conditions will result in a constant headache for a day]

[It is time for conditioning! That's right! Time for our daily 'Oug'!]

[Saying 'Oug' (0/100)]

[Running (0/10km)]

[Eating banana (0/5)]

[Reward: +5 Status Points]

[Time remaining: 2h]

'The fuck? It's so fucking dumb I nearly forgot about it after spending some time with Ella! But there are 5 free stat points … daily?' Ethan was bewildered at the generous reward.

With a shrug, he decided to go along with the quest, not wanting to risk a constant headache. He knew from experience that nothing would be normal around a certain Monkey King.

<The Great Sage Equal to Heaven likes your new attitude>

"Wait, it resets at midnight? I only got two hours left! Fuck! I don't have any bananas here!"

It was around 10 p.m. and most stores are closing right now. He looked at the map and thankfully found a store that closes at 11 p.m.

"About 5km away from here … I think I'll jog there and do this efficiently. I just hope they still have some bananas left."

Wasting no time, Ethan changed into his sportswear and got ready.

[30 minutes later]

As Ethan dreadfully shouted "Oug!" repeatedly in the middle of the city street, passersby couldn't help but stare in bewilderment.

"Did he just say 'Oug'? Is this some new fitness trend or secret code?"

Her friend shrugged, trying not to laugh. "Who knows? People these days come up with all sorts of strange things. Maybe he is even on a unique quest set by a bored constellation?"

Meanwhile, a group of teenagers nearby burst into giggles as they watched Ethan continue his odd performance, "Bruh, he lost or bet or what?" One of them asked, stifling laughter.

"No idea, but it's fucking hilarious!" Another chimed in, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

A couple of them joined in on their bicycles. They started following him, pretending to be his monkey troop, hooting and swinging imaginary tails.

"The fuck! You brats! Don't you have anything better to do?" Ethan was starting to get annoyed by their antics.

"OUG OUG OUG!"

"GO MONKEEEEE!"

Ethan decided to ignore it as he arrived in front of the convenience store.

Thankfully, they still had some leftover bananas, so he bought five of them

Outside, the teens were so caught up in laughter that they didn't notice the imposing figure behind them.

It was Tony "The Thunder" Mario, the local gangster known for his intimidating presence and short temper. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, he exuded confidence and power. Tattoos peek out from beneath his sleeves. In the streets of Neo Horizon City, the name "Tony The Thunder" strikes fear into the hearts of those who cross his path.

"Oi, brats! What's all this money business, huh?" He growled, not amused by their antics.

"Uh, sorry sir, we didn't mean any harm. We're just having some fun."

"That's right. We're just chilling!"

But Tony was in no mood for excuses. He stepped closer, towering over them. "Fun, huh? Do you think this is a playground? You're messing with the wrong guy. This is my turf, ya runts!"

A brave teen stepped forward. "Oi, Do you know who I am? I am the young mast-"

"Shove your family status somewhere else brat. Here, it means shit to me"

The brave teen's face turned ashen white at the aggressive response.

Just as tensions escalated, the sound of the automatic door at the convenience store rang, and Ethan got out with a bag of bananas.

"Boss!" The teens shouted in unison after seeing him.

'Wait? Who is your boss? The fuck?' Ethan thought but quickly turned his attention to the buff guy in front of him.

"So you're the guy who instigated the teens to do the monkey shit at this ungodly hour?" Tony asked, clearly unamused.

Ethan couldn't help to grin, his laughter bubbling up from within.

"Yeah, well, it's just a little meeting around? Why are you mad at kids like that? Filling up your ego around little shits?"

"Fuck you! I've had enough of this shit! You're going to be responsible for disturbing me!"

"ORRRRRA!" Tony shouted as he charged at Ethan with the intent of beating him down like a dog.

Ethan saw the big fist incoming, but couldn't help to chuckle at the sight.

He fought for five continuous years during an apocalyptic time. Even though he may be Level 1, he still had his battle sense honed against strong foes before the regression.

He tilted his head just enough that he dodged the incoming fist, surprising Tony.

"Hmph, you got lucky there! It won't miss the second time!" Tony said and his fist started to crackle with lightning.

"Oh shit! It's TTT! The Thunder Dude! Fuck, the monkey boss is dead!" One of the teenagers recognized the gangster.

"He is an Awakened at Level 8. He's got a strong lightning-based skill!"

"Boss, you need to run!"

Just as Tony prepared to launch his skill, something yellow blocked his view.

Ethan lunged forward and threw a banana with precision at Tony. Strangely enough, the banana got stuck in the mouth, nearly suffocating the gangster.

"Did … he just hit him with a banana?" One of the teenagers exclaimed, his eyes wide with astonishment.

<The Great Sage Equal to Heaven likes your way of fighting>

<The Forest Rave Organizer dislikes your wastage of food>

<The Destroyer feels inspired by your way of handling bananas>

"Lol, is Boss Monkey also an Awakened?"

"Must be right? The boss was OP! Monke!"

Ethan didn't give Tony a chance to recover. With agility, he moved swiftly, delivering a series of banana-infused blows that knocked out Tony.

"This is crazy! He beat up TTT with a banana!"

Ethan turned his attention to the teenagers.

"Now, you little shits. Shouldn't you go home and suck some milk? You are not old enough to touch grass here."

"Boss, listen, we didn't know Tony would be here! And it was your fault! Why would you scream 'Oug' across the city at night?"

"Huh? Now you're saying it is my fault?" Ethan's golden irises glowed in an intimidating light, scaring the teenagers.

"W-Well, I guess it was kinda our fault. You know, we'll make it up for you! Here is a business card from my father's company! Just call tomorrow and say it was for Jonas Estalle."

"Oh, good idea Jones! Here is my father's business card too. I'm Tom Scott by the way"

"Good stuff! I'll add in my father's as well. Here, I'm Bruno West!"

The teens then got on their bicycles and cycled away.

"Be sure to call. We'll get you some good stuff!"

"Yeah!"

"Bye, boss! OUG!"

"Get lost, you brats!"

'What the fuck just happened? The Estelle family? The Scotts and West? Why are they riding bicycles in the park at night? Shouldn't they have some guards around?' Ethan was left standing alone with a lot of questions.

<The Great Sage Equal to Heaven reminds you of the side quest>

"Oh shit! I need to run back and eat the bananas"

[Side Quest (Daily) - Reject Humanity, Return to Monke]

[Warning: This quest cannot be declined!]

[Not fulfilling the conditions will result in a constant headache for a day]

[It is time for conditioning! That's right! Time for our daily 'Oug'!]

[Saying 'Oug' (72/100)]

[Running (5.8/10km)]

[Eating banana (0/5)]

[Reward: +5 Status Points]

[Time remaining: 1h]

[30 minutes later]

"Fuck! I forgot that one banana left at the fight scene!"

[Side Quest (Daily) - Reject Humanity, Return to Monke]

[Warning: This quest cannot be declined!]

[Not fulfilling the conditions will result in a constant headache for a day]

[It is time for conditioning! That's right! Time for our daily 'Oug'!]

[Saying 'Oug' (100/100)]

[Running (10/10km)]

[Eating banana (4/5)]

[Reward: +5 Status Points]

[Time remaining: 30min]

Ethan lamented at the failed quest and cursed at the teenagers.

"The compensation better be good …"

<The Great Sage Equal to Heaven laughs at your luck>