Episode 8

Noah's performance metrics bar altered, though nothing else did. Nevertheless, he felt a sense of satisfaction for having surpassed his own benchmarks.

At this point, Noah's hopes hinged on the three of them. Should they begin to weave a business network and build up strength on his behalf, the game would undoubtedly persist.

The Seven Grievous Sins were absent, according to the old man whose words Noah had believed when he received the system that now resided within him.

"Foolishness, huh?!"

Noah spent his time strolling around the town of Silverstone. This time, however, he regarded it differently than usual.

Three years prior, he had arrived in town filled with the hope of transforming his tough life into an easier one. He planned to attend college and thereafter find a job or start a business after graduation.

But now, Noah viewed this town as a goal he yearned to dominate.

"Let's see if people still look down on me when I take control of this town."

Noah resolved not to return to Robert's apartment. Instead, he headed to a shopping center. It was sizeable and well-known.

Now, Noah intended to purchase some clothes. With a seemingly endless supply of cash at his disposal, he purposely chose this place to acquire items of higher quality than what he had previously worn.

Yet, fate would have it that, on this particular day, Lucy was also present there. And as it often happens, the very thing one seeks to avoid tends to confront one with ease.

That's precisely what Noah experienced at that moment. For reasons unknown, Lucy stood before him, her gaze laden with emotion.

"Noah, I never thought you'd follow me everywhere. Haven't I made it clear that I'm with Greg now? We have nothing to do with each other anymore."

"Lucy, I'm not here to follow you. Please, carry on with whatever you're doing. I don't care, I have my own business here."

"Sure, you have business here, and I bet it's not shopping, is it?"

No need to glance sideways to recognize the interrupter.

Once again, Greg appeared. It was the third dramatic encounter for the young man before Noah.

However, Noah's thoughts differed from before. When he saw Greg, an idea sparked in his mind.

"Yo, Greg. Looking to shop? I imagine you must have plenty of cash," Noah taunted.

Noah's intuition was on point. He was certain there was a slight change in his approach to assessing situations and acting accordingly.

Even Lucy seemed a little puzzled by Noah's manner of addressing Greg. The tone clearly indicated a lack of adulation.

"Yeah, of course. I'm shopping, not for myself, but for this lovely lady," Greg replied proudly, looking at Lucy.

Feeling incredibly flattered, Lucy became slightly bashful. This only intensified Noah's disdain for the girl who, for years, had preoccupied his thoughts.

"Is that so, good for you. I think she suits you well. Continue, I have other matters to attend to."

As Noah turned to leave, Greg spoke up again. "Noah, there's no need to pretend you're strong. I offered you compensation, and you went looking for work instead. That's why you can't keep your woman. You're so arrogant with your poverty, not realizing how much money really makes a difference between us."

Noah grinned, as this was exactly what he had anticipated. Greg couldn't just let things be. Intentionally, Noah hadn't planned to leave and was waiting for this very moment.

"Really," Noah exclaimed, surprising even Lucy. She knew him well—if Noah had any luck at all, Lucy would never consider leaving him.

But as she matured, it became clearer to her that Noah's future didn't look bright. Greg appeared during her tumultuous times.

Without considering Noah's feelings, Lucy embraced the new relationship and left the young man who had always treated her well.

"Noah, something's wrong with you. You should just go to work. We don't have time to waste on you," Lucy dismissed quickly.

"No, darling. We have plenty of time to toy with this ignorant young man. It seems he's asking for proof, and I'll give it to him," retorted Greg.

"Greg, stop it. He knows nothing about you."

Ignoring Lucy's words, Greg continued, "Dear, pick whatever you like here, and I'll pay for it."

"Greg, what do you mean? I'm done shopping."

Somehow Lucy felt she had become a pawn in a contest between two young men bent on out-bragging each other in their unique ways.

"No! No, you can take more. Choose," Greg urged, somewhat insistently.

Lucy felt embarrassed. Of course, she'd be pleased if Greg really wished to buy her anything, yet she sensed that by accepting, she'd be granting Noah a victory, making her feel degraded.

Lucy was intelligent, but unaccustomed to such a scenario. Her discomfort was immediately apparent to Noah.

Just as Lucy had been to him, Noah knew Lucy's true character.

"Greg, I suspect your funds aren't that impressive. You managed to secure a woman now caught in confusion, opting for a single item to prove your grandeur. You play it safe, seeking someone well beneath your station, simply for a cheaper evening's company."

Lucy froze as soon as Noah spoke those words, and Greg's face turned red, as if slapped by Noah's brazenness.

"I guess you're often rejected by women of your own caliber. Besides your money, there's nothing appealing about you. Clearly, your funds aren't even sufficient for a date, let alone for more."

With those words, Noah turned and walked away, leaving Lucy and Greg utterly astonished by his remarks.

The young man had undoubtedly humiliated both of them. Noah felt thoroughly satisfied, having somewhat avenged his heartache.

"Stupidity is a sin. And I shall not commit that sin again," he murmured.

Noah proceeded to buy a few outfits. He avoided extremely expensive clothes, not wishing to stand out too much at the moment.

There were still many tasks to accomplish before he could have the power to reveal his true identity.

Noah also didn't return to Alice's apartment. Deliberately, he left the three individuals to make their own decisions for now.

Naturally, Noah hoped they'd be willing to work for him.

Instead, he looked for a hotel to stay in. Over the next week, he planned to study life in Silverstone and discover how to swiftly complete his system's quest.