Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Next Level
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Elliot sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone. The glowing interface of the Rizz God System pulsed faintly, like it was alive and waiting for him to make a move. After his small victory with Maya, a strange energy coursed through him—confidence. For the first time in years, he felt... capable.
But the lingering question wouldn't leave his mind: What happens if I fail?
The system didn't give him time to dwell.
> "New Mission Assigned: Charm a Group in a Social Setting."
Reward: +20 Confidence Points and a new skill unlock.
Failure Consequence: Intense public embarrassment.
Elliot's stomach dropped. "A group? I can barely handle talking to one person, let alone a whole group."
> "Oh, relax," the system chimed in smoothly, its voice dripping with amusement. "You're not being asked to start a revolution. Just charm a group of people. Win them over. Make them like you. Easy, right?"
Elliot groaned. "Yeah, easy for you to say. You're not the one who has to deal with this in real life."
> "Ah, but I am the one helping you. Trust the process, Elliot. Now, don't you have a company meeting today? Perfect opportunity."
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The Office Meeting
The conference room buzzed with activity as Elliot stepped inside. His heart hammered in his chest, but the system's soothing voice kept him steady.
> "Remember: Aura of Charm is still active. Use it. Smile confidently. Make eye contact. And whatever you do, don't slouch."
Elliot straightened his posture, feeling a strange warmth radiate from within him as if the system itself was lending him strength. He scanned the room and immediately spotted his usual tormentors: Bianca Harper, seated near the middle, tapping away on her phone, and Aaron Blake, his smug coworker and self-appointed office alpha, holding court with a small group.
Elliot made his way to the coffee station, trying to look casual. He could feel the weight of the challenge pressing down on him. How was he supposed to charm an entire group?
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The Opportunity
As the meeting began, Aaron cracked one of his usual jokes, drawing polite laughter from the group. Bianca rolled her eyes, but everyone else seemed to be enjoying the show. Elliot clenched his fists under the table, feeling the familiar wave of insecurity creeping in.
> "Your moment's coming," the system whispered. "Be patient. And when it arrives, own it."
The meeting dragged on, with Richard Daniels, their manager, droning on about productivity metrics and upcoming deadlines. Then it happened.
"Elliot," Richard said, glancing at him from across the table. "You've been awfully quiet. Do you have anything to add?"
Every head in the room turned to him.
Elliot froze. Normally, this would be the moment he'd stammer something unintelligible, earning a few chuckles and a fresh wave of humiliation. But not this time.
> "Smile," the system urged. "Confidently. Then speak slowly and clearly. You've got this."
Elliot took a deep breath, forcing himself to smile. "Actually, yes. I think we can streamline the process if we prioritize the key metrics and skip the redundant steps."
The room fell silent. Even Bianca looked up from her phone.
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The Turning Point
To his surprise, Richard nodded. "That's... a solid point, Elliot. We'll look into that."
Aaron, not to be outdone, leaned forward. "Great idea, Graves. But can you elaborate on how we'd implement it?" His tone was condescending, the smirk on his face daring Elliot to stumble.
Elliot met Aaron's gaze, his heart pounding. But this time, he didn't back down.
> "Keep calm. Maintain eye contact," the system instructed.
"Well," Elliot began, his voice steady, "we could start by revising the workflow documentation. It'll take a little effort upfront, but it'll save us time in the long run. And honestly, isn't that what matters?"
The group murmured in agreement. Even Bianca raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.
> "Mission Complete: Charm a Group in a Social Setting."
Reward Unlocked: +20 Confidence Points. New Skill: Emotional Insight (Beginner).
Elliot felt a rush of energy course through him, like a dam breaking inside his chest. The tension in the room shifted, and for the first time, he wasn't just a background character—he was part of the conversation.
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After the Meeting
As the group filtered out of the room, Elliot lingered by the coffee station, basking in the unfamiliar feeling of accomplishment.
"You really surprised me in there," a voice said.
He turned to see Bianca standing nearby, her arms crossed and an appraising look on her face.
"You're not as hopeless as I thought," she added with a smirk.
Elliot smiled, feeling the system's influence bolster his confidence. "Thanks, Bianca. I'll take that as a compliment."
She tilted her head, her smirk softening slightly before she walked away.
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The Next Step
> "Well done, Elliot," the system said as he made his way back to his desk. "You're learning fast. But don't get too comfortable. The next mission will push you even further."
Elliot felt both exhilarated and apprehensive. He glanced at his phone, the glowing interface already displaying the next challenge.
> "New Mission Assigned: Win a Drink Invitation from a Woman."
Reward: +30 Confidence Points and Advanced Charisma Boost.
Failure Consequence: Complete Social Rejection.
Elliot sighed. "You never let me rest, do you?"
> "Greatness waits for no one, Elliot. Now, let's get to work."
As the day went on, Elliot couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to get a lot more complicated—and a lot more interesting.
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To Be Continued...