Chapter 176: Tyler, it is him again
Chapter - 176
'Ding!'
[System Update!]
Rick felt a buzz in his mind, a familiar sensation signaling the arrival of something significant. The notification blared in Rick's mind like a siren in the dead of night. He glanced at the interface only he could see, the system alerting him of an impending update. Finally, after countless battles and endless quests, his experience points had hit the coveted 10,000 mark.
His heart raced as he glanced at the message blinking insistently on the interface of his mind's eye. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of grinding, his experience points had hit the coveted 10,000 mark.
"About time," Rick muttered under his breath, a mix of excitement and anticipation coursing through his veins. He'd been waiting for this moment, working tirelessly to level up and unlock new abilities within the system.
[For the next 48 hours, you won't be able to use any other function of the system other than the inventory. Do you wish to continue?]
As the notification popped up, Rick's racing heart which was racing with anticipation suddenly almost dropped dead. The update would require 48 hours to complete, during which time he could only rely on the system's inventory? No shop? It was all he wanted?
"Seriously?" Rick muttered incredulously, his mind spinning with uncertainties. He had grown accustomed to the comfort of his system. Now, he was being forced to relinquish that comfort?
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[Yes, that's the deal]
The system chimed in, its voice echoing in Rick's mind with an air of finality.
[For the next 48 hours you will have to be all alone my master. Without me. Will you miss me?]
With a deep breath, Rick looked at his inventory. Scanning through the array of options at his disposal, Rick actually felt that he had quite a lot of stuff in his hand to last 2 days. He can surely last 2 days without the system? Right?
"This better be worth it," Rick muttered, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. But deep down, he knew there was no turning back now. He had come too far to let this opportunity slip through his fingers.
[Oh it will be. So are you ready?]
[Yes]
[No]
And with that, Rick went ahead and chose the [Yes] option.
[System Update Initiated. For the next 48 hours, you won't be able to access many of the system functions]
[But don't worry. I love you master! So here's a small token of love from my side. Love you loser Master...]
And with that, suddenly in the blink of an eye, something pink and dotted materialized in Zack's lap, sending shockwaves through the taxi. The driver, who had been sneakily eyeing Rick, nearly lost control, swerving the vehicle dangerously close to the neighboring car.
"What the hell was that?" The driver's voice cracked with a mix of fear and confusion as he shot a wide-eyed glance at Rick. "Where the hell did that come from?" He gestured towards the mysterious object now resting in Rick's lap, his grip tightening on the steering wheel as if bracing for another unexpected event.
Rick's expression remained unreadable as he examined the peculiar garments that had seemingly dropped out of thin air. A loose-fitting pink shirt adorned with tiny polka dots, paired with matching baggy trousers. The combination was... unique, to say the least.
The driver couldn't contain a chuckle, his initial terror giving way to amusement. "You some kind of fashion-forward grandma or what?" He quipped, his laughter easing the tension in the air. "Damn, man, you got some seriously weird taste." Looking at the clothes, he totally forgot to freak out.
Rick's outburst ripped through the air like a thunderclap, a sudden explosion of rage.
"Shut up.... Fucking shut up... You Fucking Prick of a bastard, SHUT UP!" His voice boomed, echoing off the walls of the cramped space. Every syllable dripped with anger, laced with a bitterness that seemed to seep into the very air around them.
The driver, caught off guard by Rick's sudden eruption, recoiled in surprise, his laughter fading into nervous silence. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unsure of how to react to this sudden storm of fury.
Rick's fists clenched and unclenched at his sides, the muscles in his jaw tight with tension. His face burned with indignation, flushed red with the heat of his anger. It was clear that he was seething, but the target of his rage remained a mystery.
Was it the system, once again betraying him with its cruel tricks? Or was it the driver, the annoying driver, laughing right at his face
~~~~~
The taxi screeched to a halt in front of the university's main entrance, the sound echoing through the bustling campus. As the door swung open, Rick emerged with an air of effortless cool, sporting shades and rocking a bold ensemble of pink polka dot baggy clothes.
Despite his initial anger, Rick had reached a point where he had nothing left to lose, and he was going to make damn sure everyone knew it.
Striding confidently across the campus, Rick made a silent vow to seize every opportunity that came his way, whether it was good or bad. After all, as the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity, right?
And sure enough, Girls were looking at him, with all the eagerness in their eyes. Rick couldn't but smirk as he saw one of the girls staring at him in a flirty way. It did give him a hard on, but Rick was on the mission, to find Megan, his homeroom teacher.
Rick's senses were on high alert as he navigated the familiar college grounds, a sense of urgency propelling him forward like a man on a mission.
With painstaking precision, Rick combed through every nook and cranny of the campus, his determination unwavering. The crowded cafeteria was his first stop, a bustling hub of activity filled with chattering students and the aroma of food wafting through the air. Amidst the sea of faces lost in conversation, Rick's gaze was sharp, darting from one table to the next, searching for a glimpse of Megan.
The rhythmic cadence of his footsteps echoed through the hallways as he moved from building to building, his purposeful stride commanding attention. Each step seemed to punctuate the tension in the air, a palpable urgency that set him apart from the casual passersby.
As he scanned classrooms and common areas, Rick's focus remained unwavering, his determination burning like a flame in the darkness. Every glance was calculated, sometimes distracted, but he relentlessly pursued his quarry through the labyrinthine corridors of the college campus.
His quest led him to the library, where the hushed whispers of diligent students filled the air. Rick's eyes darting from one occupied study table to another, searching for a familiar face. Rick even adjusted his gaze at the book racks and each girl with long hairs, taking books in her hand. He stared at them in a flirty way to hide his curiosity and purpose.
The college garden, witnessed Rick's persistent search. He observed students engaged in some "serious discussions" under the shades of ancient trees. But Megan was still nowhere to be seen.
Rick cursed silently as he navigated through the labyrinth of his thoughts. Each twist and turn in this quest seemed to lead him further into a maze of complexity. "Where the hell is this Megan hiding?" he muttered under his breath, frustration boiling just beneath the surface.
Suddenly, his train of thought collided with a flesh-and-blood obstacle, and Rick stumbled forward, knocking into a girl who appeared out of nowhere.
"Oops, my bad," he muttered, rubbing his forehead where it had met hers with unintentional force.
The girl, a whirlwind of papers and books, quickly bent down to retrieve her scattered belongings, her movements frantic with haste.
"No, no, let me help," Rick insisted, crouching down beside her and scooping up the stray documents before she could protest.
"It's fine, really. I've got it," she replied, her voice rushed and breathless as she attempted to gather her things.
But Rick persisted, handing her the items he'd gathered with a gentle insistence. As he looked into her eyes, a spark of recognition flickered in his mind, a glimmer of hope that she might be the elusive Megan he'd been searching for.
The girl shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, her unease palpable in the air between them.
"Can I... can I go now?" she asked, her voice tinged with nervousness as she reached out for her belongings.
Rick hesitated for a moment, still holding onto her documents as if unwilling to let her slip away. His desperation hung heavy in the air, a silent plea for answers hidden behind his searching eyes.
With a final glance, Rick reluctantly released his grip on her belongings, watching as she hurried away, leaving him alone once more in his quest for truth.
"Hello, I Said can I go?", the girl raised her eyebrows and frown on her face.
"Oh yeah." Rick left it. The girl immediately disappeared from his sight.
Rick wanted to follow the girl, but...
With a sinking feeling in his chest, Rick's last hope rested on the lecture hall. He quickened his pace, determination fueling his steps as he made a beeline for the classroom.
Entering the lecture hall, Rick's eyes swept over the rows of empty seats, disappointment gnawing at him as Megan's absence loomed large. But he wasn't ready to give up just yet. He decided to wait a little longer, clinging to the hope that she might still show up.
Minutes ticked by like hours, each second stretching into eternity as Rick wrestled with his impatience. Just as he was about to throw in the towel, a figure appeared in the doorway.
The girl's entrance was like a breath of fresh air in the stagnant room, her presence commanding attention as she greeted the professor with a polite smile. Rick's curiosity piqued as she handed a slip of paper to the professor.
His heart skipped a beat as the professor called out a name, "Tyler," the sound echoing through the silent room like a thunderclap.
"It's him again."
*****