The System's Super Multiplier left Rahul reeling with excitement.
He immediately shifted his focus to the Reward Shop, eager to spend his newfound wealth. As he filtered through the items, a bottle of "Super Vitality Pills" appeared in his sight. According to the description, it was a consumable that specifically strengthened the kidneys and core stamina without any side effects. One bottle contained 12 pills, and the effect of a single pill lasted for 30 consecutive days.
The price was a steal—only 1 Charm Point.
This is perfect! Rahul thought. One point to stay at peak performance for a whole year? That's incredible value.
But just as he was about to confirm the purchase, he hesitated. He remembered that traveling to a new country required 1 Charm Point to instantly learn the local language. The Master-Level Combat Skills cost 4 points, which would leave him with exactly 1 point left.
Rahul was the type of person who looked three steps ahead. Until he determined his next destination, he couldn't afford to waste that last point. Language was the cornerstone of communication—without it, he couldn't farm Charm Points effectively. He certainly couldn't flirt using sign language.
However, the Combat Skill was a permanent physical upgrade. Even at 4 points, it was an investment in his long-term survival.
With a determined thought, Rahul spent 4 Charm Points to unlock Master-Level Combat Skills.
In an instant, a warm, electric current surged through his entire body. His mind was flooded with thousands of hours of practical muscle memory: Freestyle Fighting, Jiu-Jitsu, and lethal Street Combat moves. It felt as if he had been training in a dojo since he was a toddler.
Rahul, who had felt physically "listless" and drained just moments ago, suddenly felt a burst of boundless energy. He sprang off the sofa like a coiled spring.
The moment his feet touched the hardwood floor, his previously shaky legs felt like pillars of iron. The dull ache in his lower back vanished instantly.
Holy crap! Rahul thought, flexing his arms. The Combat Skill upgrades your entire physical constitution? He hurried into the guest bathroom, a look of pure delight on his face. He felt like he had returned to his peak state of seventeen or eighteen—vigorous, powerful, and tireless. The 4 points were worth every penny.
He took a quick shower, and when he returned to the guest room wrapped in a towel, the twin sisters were finally stirring. Seeing Rahul enter the room, trailing steam and looking incredibly refreshed, the two groggy girls simultaneously reached out their arms.
"Rahul... come here. Hugs," they murmured in unison, their voices thick with sleep and a touch of childish playfulness.
Rahul smiled, leaning down to kiss them both on the cheeks.
"No! We want real hugs!" Anika grumbled, her hands already climbing up his neck. Anisha, not to be outdone, hooked her leg over his back to pull him down.
"Get up, you two. I want to go out and film today!"
"No filming! You're staying right here!"
"Wait, Rahul is mine today!"
"No, he's mine!"
In that moment, Rahul finally understood the phrases "craving the taste of the marrow" and "fierce as wolves and tigers."
The process of actually getting the twins out of bed lasted until noon. It wasn't until all three of them were starving that Rahul finally put his foot down. The "snag-resistant" stockings they had worn the night before were... well, they hadn't resisted much.
After Rahul got dressed, he set up his DJI camera in the kitchen to film a "Day in the Life" segment. He found some eggs, tomatoes, and butter in the fridge. He whipped up a classic Indian-style Tomato Egg scramble and seared a few lamb chops in butter.
As the twins walked out of their rooms, the aroma of seared meat hit them.
"Anisha... I'm starting to have regrets," Anika murmured, staring at Rahul's silhouette in the kitchen.
"Regrets about what?" Anisha asked, her gaze also fixed on him.
"I want to go back to India with him," Anika said softly. "I don't care about the boutique. These past few days have been the happiest of my life."
Anisha sighed. "I feel the same way. I've never known this kind of happiness before. But I don't think he'll agree to take us with him."
Just then, Rahul walked out with the first plate of chops. "Anika, Anisha, come help me bring the rest out. Lunch is ready!"
The sisters' faces instantly broke into radiant smiles. "Coming!"
As they sat around the table, the twins were fascinated by the simple Tomato Egg scramble.
"Rahul, you're the absolute ideal partner," Anisha said after her first bite.
Anika put down her fork and looked at him very seriously. "Rahul... can I go back to Mumbai with you?"
Before he could respond, she quickly added, "Just to travel! I just want to see your city. No other intentions, I promise."
Rahul glanced at his camera on the table, then back at the hopeful faces of the twins. He let out a soft sigh.
"I have to hit the ground running when I get back—editing, meetings, planning the next trip. I won't have the time to show you around the way you deserve," he said gently. "But I promise, once I'm settled, I will officially invite you both to India."
Anisha opened her mouth to argue, but Rahul's phone buzzed loudly on the table.
"Excuse me," he said, picking it up. "I need to take this call."
Expert Guide Follow-up:
The call is from someone unexpected. Should it be his real estate agent with a "now or never" ultimatum on his house, or should it be Samina, crying because she's at the airport and wants to see him one last time?