Eight days passed in a blur—eight days of peace, comfort, laughter, and rediscovery.
Arjun hadn't realized how fast life could move when you were finally allowed to breathe. For the first time in years, he wasn't waking up with anxiety or going to sleep with exhaustion buzzing behind his eyes. Instead, his days were filled with simple pleasures: eating foods he had only dreamed of, watching movies without worrying about time, playing games late into the night, and exploring new places just because he could.
And Instagram.
His new account—created almost impulsively—was now filled with pictures of his villa, the sleek curves of his car, and snapshots of beautifully plated meals. The world, or at least a corner of it, seemed to like watching him live. His followers had grown rapidly, especially female followers, drawn in by the aesthetic of a tall, blue-eyed twenty-year-old living a soft, luxurious life. Every photo he posted brought in more likes, more messages, more attention than he had ever expected.
But the best part of the last eight days wasn't the attention—it was Zara.
Somehow, effortlessly, she had become a friend. A good one. They chatted almost every day, exchanged memes, and she lectured him playfully about skincare ingredients, moisture barriers, SPF types, serums, and toners. He had no idea how she remembered so many product names, but he appreciated it. Thanks to her, his skin was already smoother, brighter, and the dark circles under his eyes had lightened.
Tonight, he was treating her to dinner as a thank-you.
---
Arjun stood in his room, facing the tall mirror near the wardrobe, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt.
He was wearing a semi-casual outfit: a fitted charcoal button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his elbows, paired with dark slim jeans and clean white sneakers. The look was effortlessly stylish, comfortable, and modern. On his wrist gleamed the Rolex the system had gifted him five days ago—silver and midnight blue, shimmering each time he moved his arm.
His reflection stared back at him.
And he looked… good. Healthier.
His skin had improved dramatically, his dark circles were fading, and he had gained some weight—not much, but enough to soften the sharp bones of his face and bring life back to his cheeks.
I think I gained weight, he thought, turning sideways to study himself. If I keep eating like this and gaming all day, I'll get fat.
He made a face and tapped his stomach lightly.
Maybe it was time to start working out again. Maybe join a gym. Maybe try weights. It would be good for him anyway.
Then something clicked in his mind.
Stat points.
The system had mentioned once that stat points existed—strength, stamina, agility, and other RPG-style attributes. He hadn't received any yet.
"System," he said aloud. "Why haven't I gotten any stat points?"
A calm, neutral voice echoed inside his mind.
[Stat Points are high-level rewards. They are given weekly or monthly depending on host's accumulated value. The more days accumulated, the higher the rewards.]
"Oh…" Arjun blinked. "So they're not daily rewards."
[Correct. They are long-term milestones.]
"So this week… if I accumulate properly, I'll get something?"
[Affirmative.]
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Stat points… long-term rewards… I really need to start accumulating properly this week.
He had no idea what the weekly reward would be besides stat points, but the system had never given him anything ordinary before. He was curious.
Just as he was lost in thought, a soft ding from his phone interrupted him.
A message from Zara.
"Here's the address. Pick me up here."
Arjun smiled and typed:
"I'll be there in ten minutes."
Her reply came almost instantly.
"Okay :)"
He grabbed his car keys, checked himself in the mirror one last time, and headed out.
---
The moment he stepped outside, the familiar evening glow of Emerald Heights welcomed him.
The upscale district looked beautiful at night—streetlights casting golden halos, small cafés and boutique shops illuminated softly, couples walking hand in hand, people chatting near open-air bars, cyclists passing by with warm smiles, kids laughing in the park area nearby. The gentle hum of city life mixed with music drifting from a rooftop lounge. Cars glided smoothly through the clean roads, their headlights reflecting off modern glass buildings.
Arjun loved it here. Emerald Heights wasn't just wealthy—it was alive.
He slid into his car, started the engine, and drove toward Zara's location.
---
Ten minutes later, he arrived in front of a modern apartment building with warm lighting and a tidy entrance garden.
There she was.
Zara stood waiting near the gate, scrolling on her phone. She wore a simple yet pretty outfit—a stylish cream-colored top with soft ruffled sleeves tucked into high-waisted blue jeans that accented her figure. Her hair was loosely curled today, and she wore small silver hoops that glinted in the light. Casual but beautiful.
When she saw him, she brightened instantly and waved.
Arjun slowed the car to a stop in front of her. She walked over, opened the passenger door, and slid in gracefully.
"You look stunning," he said without thinking.
Zara blinked, surprised—and then smiled, slightly shy but pleased.
"Thank you. And you…" She looked up and down at him. "You look very handsome today. The shirt suits you."
"Thanks," he chuckled. "So… where do you want to go? You said you had a place in mind."
Her eyes sparkled mischievously.
"There's a restaurant I always wanted to go to. It's pretty expensive so I never got the chance." She raised an eyebrow. "But since someone is offering a free meal… I'm not going to refuse."
Arjun burst out laughing.
"I like your honesty."
"It's a talent," she said proudly.
He shook his head with a smile, put the car in gear, and started driving.
Zara adjusted her seat, leaning comfortably against the window.
"Take a right up ahead," she said. "It's near the riverside district."
"Got it."
And the car slipped into the glowing roads of the city,.
Chapter End.