[Hyde POV]
After Red left, I took out my tools from the garage set the system gave me.
"Holy crap." I muttered in shock as I laid down everything on the workshop floor.
[2. Complete Garage Workshop Set (2025 Grade)]
(expanded, with realistic 2025 tools Hyde would get)
{CORE AUTO TOOLS}--
60–80 gallon quiet-series air compressor
Digital air regulator with LED readout
HVLP spray gun + paint cups
Portable paint booth (collapsible), plastic draping system
Dual-action orbital sander + sanding discs (80–3000 grit)
Cordless impact driver + drill + 150-piece bit set
Engine diagnostic scanner (2025 OBD+ wireless streaming to phone)
Rolling car creeper
Hydraulic floor jack (3-ton) + heavy-duty jack stands
LED shop lights (magnetic + flexible arm)
Heat gun
Body filler tools
Dent puller kit
Wet/Dry shop vac
{Full hand tool set:--}
Ratchets (1/4", 3/8", 1/2")
Sockets (Metric, SAE, deep, swivel)
Wrenches (standard, ratcheting)
Screwdrivers
Torque wrench
Pliers, locking pliers, needle-nose
Pry bars
Feeler gauge
{Compression tester–}
Laser-guided digital level (for alignment & frame checks)
Thermal camera (detects overheating wires, weak spark, exhaust leaks)
Digital tach + timing light combo (2025 precision; no dial drift)
Battery tester & smart charger
OBD-to-Analog bridge module (so modern diagnostics can read carb-era data)
Portable power station (enough to run tools during a blackout)
High-pressure foam cannon for detailing
Rust removal kit (Evapo-Rust, brushes, inhibitors)
Thread repair set (Heli-Coil kit)
Brake bleeder vacuum system (one-man bleeding—Red would die)
CONSUMABLES & PAINT
Rustoleum & Eastwood paint hookup (factory color codes pre-loaded)
Automotive grade masking tapes
Sandpaper blocks
Polishes, waxes, compounds
Shop towels
Gloves, respirators
Degreasers & brake cleaner
There were like, 50 more tools that I didn't recognize. A couple big ones, such as semi automatic tyre changer. Those things could go for thousands of dollars.
Wheel balancer, cherry picker (2 ton folding engine hoist), 20 ton shop press, work bench plus vice, electric saw, plasma cutter, angle grinder, welding machine and many more.
I even got a freaking car lifter.
"This… is this an autoshop or a garage tool?" I was shocked.
I thought it would cost 5000 before. No, this would've cost more than 50,000 dollars. It was something a rich car hobbyist would have in their garage. Someone who was focused on a car restoration project.
I quickly put it all back into my system space. One thing I realized, if I wanted to use any tools, I could just summon it from the slot.
So I took out a wrench and a screwdriver.
I changed the belt out easily on the Beetle engine. Just a simple swap, and I was done.
"Maybe I should sand the rusty parts too."
It has surface rust on the roof, the sides, the bumper, and the hood.
But I wasn't sure how. The internet wasn't connected at this time, so I couldn't check Youtube.
I stored it in the system space to read the description again.
{1971 Volkswagen Beetle – Sky Blue (Faded paint. Chipping)
Mileage: 22,420
Condition: Body clean, minor surface rust
Primary Issue: Low engine oil. Low transmission oil.
Secondary Notes: Interior intact, carbs slightly dirty}
"Huh… The issue changed…"
Quickly getting over my disbelief, I began to guess why this happened.
"It has a limited description, right? The system slot could only give me parts of it."
I rubbed my head in frustration.
"Is there any way for me to know all of it? Like Appraisal–"
The system chimed before I could finish speaking.
[ 1 rating point = 200 Appraisal. Items didn't need to be stored in the storage slot.]
"Nice. I'll redeem that."
The point I made from the last episode disappeared and I got the two hundred appraisal skill.
I didn't know much about cars yet, so this would be useful for me in the early stages.
"Appraise the car."
A red panel appeared in front of my eyes. It scanned the car in real time, and it showed me parts of it that needed to be changed.
{Vehicle: 1971 Volkswagen Beetle
Color: Sky Blue (faded / oxidized)
Mileage: 22,420 miles
Engine: 1600cc Dual-port air-cooled
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Current value: 600 dollars. → 750 dollars (belt change)
Overall Condition: GOOD (B-)
Mechanically sound but needs basic maintenance and cosmetic restoration. Rough undercarriage. Needs undercoat and rust removal done.
- Detailed Appraisal Breakdown. -
ENGINE – Condition: B-
Fan belt: Previously worn → now replaced. Serpentine grade belt. Superior quality in 1977.
Engine oil: Low oil. Old oil.
Transmission gear oil: Low
Valve lash: Slightly loose
Spark plugs: Aged, weak spark.
Carbs: Slight varnish & dirt on jets
Cooling: Shroud and tins intact
Oil cooler fins: dusty
-Note: Running slightly rough but fundamentally healthy.-
-FUEL SYSTEM – Condition: B-
Dual Solex carbs slightly dirty
Fuel strainer dirty.
-IGNITION – Condition: B- -
Old-school points ignition
-Timing slightly retarded
-Weak spark under load
+1
+1}
The data kept going on and on and on. It gave me almost 15 pages of reports on the car.
My eyes were spinning wildly. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I muttered, "I need to get some rest."
I stopped working, went to Victoria's house where she had already prepared a tuna casserole for dinner.
We ate together, and I went back home at 7.
"My head's killing me."
I was so sleepy that I barely made it home.
When I got into the basement, Kelso rushed towards me, yelling, "Hyde. We need to settle this!"
"Pause." I made a 'T' gesture with my hand like a referee.
Kelso was stupefied. Eric and Fez were amused.
"We will pause this till tomorrow. I really need to sleep right now."
"NO!" Kelso yelled with a high pitched voice. " I don't want to wait until tomorrow morning."
Donna laughed and said, "Yeah Kelso. Wait for next morning. He's too tired–" She gestured kissing and hugging with her hands, "- making a home for his new lover. (KISS KISS KISS)"
"Get bent." I grimaced.
Jackie laughed and said, "Steven. Don't let it bother you. I think it's so romantic."
I rolled my eyes and walked to my room. Eric suddenly jumped from the couch and stood in my path.
"Wait. Hyde. I got the money now." He reluctantly gave me 85 bucks.
"Hmm? What for?" I asked with confusion.
"The… mattress topper?" He was taken aback. "Did you forget? I hope my mom will be the same way. She won't let me forget about it."
"Ah. Right." I remembered. "It's only 35 bucks." I gave him back 50.
Eric widened his eyes in shock. "What?!" He exclaimed with disbelief.
I smirked and said, "I was just messing with you."
"Oh you–" He wanted to get angry, but he couldn't help but smile.
"Eric! Great! Now we can eat out when we go on our date." Donna exclaimed with excitement.
Everyone left as they had plans that night. Eric and Donna were going on a date. Jackie, Fez and Kelso were hanging out.
I unlocked the door to my room, went inside, and bought the mattress topper. But as I tried to get back out, I realized my door was locked from the outside.
"Hey! Open up! This is not funny!" I shouted, rattling the door.
Kelso laughed from outside and said, "Now, we're even."
"Kelso! Come on! I need to go to the bathroom!" I shouted urgently.
Everyone had left the basement, and Mrs Forman wouldn't be home for the next few hours.
Kelso laughed and said, "Try to find a bottle or something. You'll be in there for a while."
"Kelso!" I shouted, but he didn't answer me.
I summoned the battery operated hand drill from my storage system and quickly took off the hinges.
*BAM*
The door popped open from the left side. I saw Kelso sitting at the couch with a horrified expression.
"You're dead." I said angrily.
"AHHH!" He yelled and ran, and I ran after him.
He was pretty fast so I couldn't catch up to him and I was too tired to do a prolonged chase. He has a lot of experience running away from me, so he won this time.
The next day, at school, Kelso avoided me for the entire day.
"You didn't ditch today?" Eric asked as he saw me in the parking lot, standing next to Kelso's van.
I put super glue on his steering wheel and let the trap set.
"No. There's nothing to do, so I just stayed in school." I smirked.
"Damn… small town. It has nothing fun to do, forcing people to actually study." Eric said sarcastically.
We left in our own cars and went to Red's new autoshop. I stopped by the butcher shop on my way there, and the Bents decided to go with my medium style shop revamp.
It would cost them 2200 dollars. With a custom meat wrap, new compressor for their walk-in freezer, vacuum seal, and new meat grinder.
I took the money, went to the bank to deposit 2500 bucks, and began ordering the equipment before the internet ended.
Around 4, I went to the autoshop. Red was servicing his own car there, his 1976 Toyota Corolla. Eric reluctantly stood there, holding Red's tool for him.
He used a creeper to get under the car. His hands were filled with black oil.
"Hey Red." I greeted casually.
"Steven. I saw you have changed the fan belt." he said with a smile as he pushed the creeper to get out from underneath the car.
I nodded and said, "Yeah." I leaned on a table as I got curious. "Red. Can I ask? What exactly do you plan to do with this shop?"
"Yeah Dad. Your back gave up if you tried to lift something heavier than a grocery bag–"
"Watch it." Red warned Eric immediately. He laughed and lowered his head away from him.
He turned to me and said, "Service shop."
"There's like 50 service shops in this neighborhood alone." I said flatly.
Red smiled and said, "But there's no service shop like my service shop. Quality fix, Reasonable price."
I just rolled my eyes inwardly. Eric laughed and said, "You're going to go bankrupt in the first month."
"If I went bankrupt, it's going to be fine for me… Since it's your college money."
"What?!" Eric was startled. His face paled in horror and his breathing became frantic.
Red guffawed and said, "Just kidding."
Eric breathed in relief. Red leaned in close and whispered to mess with his son, "We'll see if we get there."
"Hyde. Where did you go?" Eric changed the subject immediately. Even Red was curious.
"I went to pick up some stuff." I replied casually. I went to the car and picked up the tools I had prepared to bring into the autoshop.
The orbital sander, the detailing kit, the hand tools, body filler tools, dent puller, HVLP spray gun, Eastwood products, carb cleaning kit, and more.
I bought enough tools to help with finishing the 1971 Beetle flip. I also have bought some engine oils, transmission oil, and a new spark plug for the VW.
There were a lot of videos online on how to service the VW. I was studying that instead of listening to the teachers in school. I even jotted down everything on a notepad.
"What is this?" Red was astonished when he saw the carburetor tuning kit. It has a gauge, and a hose that connects to the carb.
In 1977, carb tuning in small towns was basically done by hearing. Having the gauge would help the user become a pro in carb tuning.
"A vacuum bleeder kit?" Red was astonished once more. "Where did you find all of this stuff?" He asked, squinting his eyes in suspicion.
"Europe." I replied casually. "I'm friends with a smuggler."
Red went silent for a bit, before he broke into a big smile. "Good job Steven. With these, we can actually be a successful store. Eric's college fund is safe now."
"Dad!" Eric was astonished again.
"We don't have an air compressor yet to test it out." Red muttered.
I smiled and said, "I'll be back in thirty minutes."
The air compressor was pretty big, so I couldn't fit it on the back of my Nova. But I could fit it in the station wagon.
I borrowed Eric's car, did a few laps around town, and came back with the air compressor. The 80 gallon air compressor reached almost my chest. It was quite huge.
Red could install it perfectly with the manual, and I did a second lap, this time bringing the wet and dry shop vac. Now, we have all we need to prep the car for painting.
…
From 5 to 7, all of us began working on the car. Eric was roped in by Red too, and had to help with stuff.
We took off the Beetle body panel, the tires, the chrome, sand it down, and cleaned up the rust with the angle grinder and 80 grit sandpaper. Then, I put rust treatment on all the rusted parts.
We put the undercoats on after taking out the rusted part on the undercarriage. Using the car lift, we could get underneath the car easily.
I haven't painted anything yet since I have to build a clean room for it. The undercoat also needed time to cure.
After dinner, I went back to the shop alone, installed the LED light using Build Mode before working on the car again.
I have a portable paint booth in the system. But first, I have to let the undercoat cure.
So I put it in to build more. It took 20 seconds for the undercoat to cure. I realized now 1 second of the build mode was equal to one hour in real life.
It was like a bounce house since I had to inflate it with an air compressor. It took the space of one car bay. There was a fan hookup on it for ventilation, and some filter to prevent dust.
"Best part about this, I don't have to roll the car in there."
I just put it in system storage, and popped it inside the clean room.
I wore a full suit of paint and a respirator. It was to ensure no impurities would get inside the paint booth.
"I can use Build mode for this. But I want to do it myself to see if I can."
If I couldn't, then, I have Build Mode that would do a flawless job as a backing.
Using the HVLP gun, I began spraying the first coat of primer. It was a dull gray color. I let the first mist coat dry, then put on a medium wet coat, and then, the build coat.
It took 6 hours to let the primer cure, but I didn't waste my time doing nothing. I polished the chromes while I waited.
I used the system to speed up the process. Instead of 6 hours, I just waited 6 seconds for the primer to cure properly.
Then, I took it out of the paint booth and began to sand it with 600 grit sandpaper.
After drying it out, wiping it with degreaser, I began painting the car with the base coat next. I did it the same color as before, the sky blue.
It costed me 150 bucks for all of the paint, clear coat, and primer products.
The basecoat took me an hour, then putting on the clearcoat took me another hour.
Once I was done, I checked the time and it was 2.30 in the morning. So I just slept there since it was warm and cozy.
Suddenly, I heard a sound coming from the store entrance.
Red walked in as I woke up from my sleep and checked the time. It was 7.30 in the morning.
"What did you do?" He asked angrily. "Why aren't you at home? Sleeping here?– Wait, what's that?"
"A clean room. I'm renting it out. So I have to make the most of it." I said casually. "The paint's done. It will need at least 48 hours to cure before buffing it."
Red peeked at the car from the transparent plastic barrier and said with disbelief. "You finished it in one day?"
"Yup. I don't want to bother you with your day job." I said casually and yawned.
"The car can be taken out at noon. For now, let it stay there." I said to Red and left.
"Wait. Steven." Red suddenly stopped me. "You must be tired. I'll call your teacher, so you stay at home today."
I was really astonished when I heard that. "Really Red?"
He nodded and sighed. "I don't want to, but I saw how hard you work. But next time, don't do something stupid and stay up all night again."
"Red, that's just how I roll. I'm a night owl, not an early bird." I smirked.
He was taken aback for a bit and asked menacingly, "So you want to go to school?"
"No!" I replied quickly and ran away. "Thanks Red."
The appraisal was consistently on for the Beetle. I didn't have to use another appraisal for it.
{Vehicle: 1971 Volkswagen Beetle
Color: Sky Blue – Newly Repainted (modern Eastwood basecoat + 2K clear coat)
Mileage: 22,420 miles
Engine: 1600cc Dual-port air-cooled
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Body Condition: Full rust treatment completed. Surface rust removed.
Underbody: Newly undercoated (long-term corrosion protection)
Paint Notes: High-gloss finish, far superior to 1977 factory quality.
Deep shine due to 2K clear coat; expected lifespan 10–15 years even under heavy use.
Paint Quality: LOW VOC. DIY-Pro. Show-grade (not yet cut/buffed)
Current value: 750 dollars → 1,450 dollars}
I spent 250 bucks on paint, undercoats, and everything else. I spent 458 bucks on the car. When I put on the new spark plug, engine oil, and clean the interior, the cost would be less than 550 on my half.
"What would the car value be then?"
(Read up to chapter 66 on my patreon.
patreon.com/relifewithkarmicgacha )