Raka decided to head home before the afternoon sun became too scorching. Walking back to the house—or more precisely, to the room he still occupied—gave him time to reflect.
A super sense of smell.
It sounded like a superhero power from the movies. But Raka wasn't in a hurry to feel great. The system said his accuracy was only 73%. Still needed training. And he was curious: how far could his sense actually go?
Along the way, he tried focusing on the aromas around him. Exhaust fumes, the smell of fried food from stalls, damp soil that had been watered that morning, the scent of soap from someone passing by—everything was mixed together. It was still hard to separate one from another. Sometimes it even gave him a headache.
Training. He needed training.
---
Back to the Room
When he arrived at his room, Raka immediately took off his shoes and sat on the floor. The system screen opened automatically.
"Good afternoon, User. You have several notifications."
Notification 1: New daily missions will be available at 00:00. The System recommends the User rest before the next missions.
Notification 2: The talent 'Super Sense of Smell' can be trained through special missions. Does the User wish to open the training menu?
Notification 3: A small fluctuation detected in the second talent. Hint: related to hearing.
Raka raised an eyebrow.
Second talent? I've only unlocked one, and now another one is detected?
He opened the training menu.
```
═══════════════════════════════════════
TALENT TRAINING: SENSE OF SMELL
═══════════════════════════════════════
Training 1: Identify Aromas (Basic)
- Guess 5 different aromas from 5 closed containers
- Reward: +10 Points, Accuracy +2%
Training 2: Scent Distance
- Detect an aroma from 10 meters away
- Reward: +15 Points, Range +1m
Training 3: Aroma Memory
- Remember and identify an aroma smelled within the last 24 hours
- Reward: +20 Points, Aroma memory +5%
*Note: Training can be repeated daily with different difficulty levels.*
```
Raka read carefully. These trainings weren't difficult, but they required focus. He decided to try Training 1 later tonight. For now, he needed rest.
But before sleeping, he opened the Basic Shop. His points were 180. Enough for lunch and dinner. He ordered rice with spicy fried chicken—a little more luxurious than usual—and a bottle of mineral water.
Instantly, the food container appeared on his desk. Raka ate slowly while thinking.
Tomorrow, I need to find a job. My cash is down to around $2. I can't keep relying on the system for food, because points are also limited.
He opened his phone, scrolled through part-time job listings. Shops, cafes, minimarket cashier, courier, online motorcycle taxi—all required experience, or a vehicle, or long working hours that could interfere with training time.
This was also part of the test. It wasn't just the system he had to face, but the reality of life.
Raka sighed. Then put his phone away. I'll think about it later. For now, an afternoon nap.
---
Night Falls
Raka woke up when the sky had already darkened. The clock showed 7:30 PM. He had slept almost five hours. His body felt fresher.
He opened the system screen. The new daily missions had been available since midnight, but because he was asleep, he was only seeing them now.
```
═══════════════════════════════════════
DAILY MISSIONS – DAY 2
═══════════════════════════════════════
Mission 1: Smell Training
- Complete Training 1 (Basic Aroma Identification)
Reward: 50 Points + Accuracy +2%
Mission 2: Environmental Exploration
- Visit 3 new places never visited before
Reward: 80 Points + Unlock mini-map feature
Mission 3: Social Interaction
- Speak with at least 3 strangers (not family or old friends)
Reward: 60 Points + Expression reading ability +1
Mission 4 (Optional): Maintain Health
- Sleep at least 7 hours, eat 3 regular meals
Reward: 40 Points + Physical Status +2
```
Raka read Missions 2 and 3 with slight hesitation.
Visit 3 new places? Talk to 3 strangers?
Back then, he preferred to stay quiet in his room. But after being cast out, maybe it was time to change. The system seemed deliberately pushing him out of his comfort zone.
"Missions 2 and 3 don't have to be done today, right?" he asked.
"Daily missions are valid for 24 hours. If not completed, they will be replaced by new missions the following day. No penalties, only loss of point opportunities."
Raka nodded. So, today's targets: Training 1, and at least one other mission.
---
First Training
Raka prepared the tools for Training 1. The system gave him guidance:
"Prepare 5 small closed containers. Fill them with items of different aromas. The System will check and validate."
He searched around his room. Containers? He didn't have any. He used empty plastic drinking cups cut down, then sealed tightly with plastic wrap. The contents:
1. Leftover coffee grounds from the kitchen
2. Liquid body soap
3. Pandan leaves from a small pot on the balcony
4. An eraser (rubber scent)
5. Orange peel that had dried a bit
Raka closed his eyes. The system counted down.
"Begin."
He picked up the first cup. Smelled through the gap in the plastic wrap. The aroma was immediately clear. Coffee. Grounds, not brewed.
"Coffee grounds," he said.
"Correct. +20 points for training."
Second cup. Sharper. The scent of soap. A specific brand? No need for that much detail.
"Body soap."
"Correct."
Third cup. A green, slightly sweet aroma. Pandan leaves.
"Pandan leaves."
"Correct."
Fourth cup. Strange. Like rubber. Eraser.
"Eraser."
"Correct."
Fifth cup. Sour, slightly sweet, an orange scent but not fresh. Dried orange peel.
"Dried orange peel."
"Correct. Training 1 complete. +50 Points (mission) +10 Points (training). Accuracy increased to 75%."
Raka opened his eyes. His points were now 240. Enough for several days ahead. But he didn't want to keep depending on the system.
---
Mission 2: New Places
Raka decided to go out that night. The city wasn't too crowded, but also not empty. He walked without a destination, just looking for places he had never visited.
First new place: A small bookstore on the side of the road that was usually closed when he passed by. Tonight it was open. Raka entered, walked around for a moment, then left without buying anything.
"New place recorded: 'Lentera' Bookstore. +1/3."
Second new place: A children's playground not far from his housing complex. He used to pass by but never went in. Now he sat on an empty swing for five minutes.
"New place recorded: Flamboyan Park. +2/3."
Third new place: A gas station. Not an interesting place, but Raka had never entered the minimart area inside. He bought a cheap bottle of mineral water with cash, then left.
"New place recorded: Gas Station. +3/3."
"Mission 2 complete. +80 Points. Mini-Map feature unlocked."
A small map appeared in the corner of the system screen. Showing the surrounding area within a 500-meter radius. There were small icons: shops, hospital, park, and... one special icon.
"Blue icons indicate potential mission locations or important characters."
Raka saw one blue icon near the park earlier. Flamboyan Park.
Important character? Who?
His mind immediately went to Kirana. But he wasn't sure. It could be someone else.
He decided not to go there tonight. Tomorrow morning.
---
Mission 3: Social Interaction
This was the hardest for Raka.
Three strangers. He had to talk, even if just small talk.
He walked to a simple coffee stall near the gas station. There, a middle-aged man sat alone while smoking.
Raka sat on the stool next to him. "Excuse me, sir. Is the coffee good here?"
The man turned, slightly surprised to be spoken to. "It's good, son. Just the boiled coffee is already excellent."
"Thank you, sir." Raka ordered a cup of boiled coffee. He didn't need to say much more. But it was enough.
"Interaction 1/3."
After finishing his drink, he walked toward the mosque near the park. An old man was sitting on the mosque's terrace. Raka approached.
"Sir, may I ask? What time are the evening religious study sessions usually?"
The old man smiled. "7:30, son. But they're on break now. Want to join?"
"Some other time, sir. Thank you."
"Interaction 2/3."
Finally, Raka went to a minimart. A security guard stood at the entrance. Raka greeted him, "Good evening, sir. Quiet tonight."
The guard nodded. "Yeah, quiet. Are you just getting home?"
"Yes, sir. Just out for a walk."
The guard just smiled.
"Interaction 3/3. Mission 3 complete. +60 Points. Expression reading ability +1."
Raka felt relieved. Not because it was difficult, but because he felt... strange. He never used to bother greeting strangers. Now the system was forcing him, and he discovered that people weren't as intimidating as he had imagined.
---
End of Night
Raka returned to his room around 10:00 PM. He opened his status:
```
Current points: 380
Unlocked talents: 1/3 (Super Sense of Smell, Accuracy 75%)
New feature: Mini-Map
Physical Status: +2 (from previous mission) → total 37/100
Resilience: +1 → total increased
```
He opened the Basic Shop. Bought dinner and breakfast for tomorrow. 40 points used. Remaining: 340.
Before sleeping, Raka stood by the window. The city lights were still on. Tonight felt brighter than usual. Or maybe his eyes were just getting used to seeing hope.
"System suggestion: Sleep at least 7 hours to maximize Mission 4 (Maintain Health). Time remaining: 8 hours."
Raka nodded. He lay down on the bed.
Thoughts about Kirana, about the old man at the coffee stall, about his new talent, about the future—all flowed slowly. But this time, there was no fear.
He closed his eyes.
Tomorrow, I'll go to that park again. See who the blue icon is pointing to.
And maybe... apply for a job.