Reality Quest: Lookism

Walking back home, I opened the System Panel to review my spoils.

[Quest Complete: Defeat the Boss Monster

Rewards Earned: 300 Credits + Hidden Reward.]

I smirked, accepting the credits first. As soon as I did, three hundred shimmering coins fell from the panel, bouncing lightly in the air before vanishing.

[Balance: 300 Credits]

'Just like at school.' I thought, shaking my head. No matter how surreal this system was, I couldn't deny how satisfying those credits were to earn.

But my body was starting to feel the weight of the day, the fights, the injuries, the exhaustion. My mind was tired, and I didn't have the energy to deal with the hidden reward just yet.

'I'll check it out at home.' I decided, dismissing the panel as I focused on the path ahead.

....

By the time I collapsed onto my bed, the moon was high, its pale light spilling into my small room. I stared at the ceiling for a moment, catching my breath, before pulling up the Quest Panel again.

The hidden reward glowed faintly, almost as if it were waiting for me.

"Alright." I muttered, tapping the notification.

From the panel, a black and blue key materialized, floating briefly before landing softly in my palm. Its design matched the credits I'd earned earlier, sleek and mysterious, with an otherworldly glow.

I turned it over in my hand, studying the intricate patterns etched into its surface. "This better be worth it." I muttered.

As if responding to my thoughts, another panel appeared in front of me. Gray chains wrapped tightly around it, holding a black lock in place, just like what I'd seen when I unlocked the shop.

Without hesitation, I inserted the key.

The chains trembled before turning pitch black, crumbling into dust along with the lock. The panel shifted, revealing its contents.

[Lookism]

I blinked, staring at the single word on the glowing screen. A wave of intrigue washed over me as I muttered, "Lookism."

Things are getting interesting..

....

The next morning, I walked toward the school entrance, the sun shining brighter than my mood. Last night, I'd crashed hard, exhaustion overtaking me before I could even process what had happened.

Still, waking up felt good. My body was refreshed, my HP and MP fully restored, and my mind was clear.

[HP: 1600/1600]

[MP: 330/330]

The familiar sight of the school came into view as I adjusted my bag strap. Stepping inside, I scanned the bustling crowd of students, my sharp black eyes catching a familiar figure by the lockers, Jihan.

"Yo!" I called out, raising a hand in greeting as I walked over to him.

He looked up, startled at first, but then his expression softened into a small, hesitant smile. "Oh, Jin." he said, his voice quieter than the morning chatter around us.

We talked for a bit, mostly about meaningless school stuff. Then I brought up what I actually wanted to know. "So.." I said, leaning slightly closer, "what about my offer?"

Jihan tensed, his fingers fidgeting with the straps of his bag. "I… I'm still thinking about it." he admitted, not meeting my eyes.

I nodded, letting the silence linger for a moment. "Fair enough. Just don't take too long." I said, giving him a small pat on the shoulder before walking away toward class.

Inside the classroom, the usual buzz of conversation filled the air as students chatted in their little groups. I glanced around, but no one even looked in my direction.

It wasn't surprising. The previous owner of this body had been bullied relentlessly, and that kind of reputation didn't vanish overnight. I sat at my desk in the corner, alone, my messy black hair falling slightly over my eyes as I leaned back and stared out the window.

The faint laughter and chatter of the other students felt distant, like I was watching it all happen from the other side of a glass wall.

'Alone, huh?' I thought, smirking faintly. 'Not like I'm not used to it.'

I pulled out my phone, pretending to scroll aimlessly while mentally planning my next move. If Jihan agreed, I'd have someone to help with training. If not… well, I'd manage. I always did.

The class bell rang, and I sat up straight, my sharp black eyes flicking toward the front as the teacher walked in. Another day had begun.

....

The lunch break bell rang, and I made my way to the cafeteria, my usual corner table unoccupied as expected. Grabbing my tray, I sat down and started eating quietly.

The food wasn't anything special, but I didn't care. My mind was elsewhere.

'That Lookism panel.' I thought, chewing slowly.

In my past life, I'd read Lookism until the latest chapters. The story, the fights, the insane abilities, everything about it had kept me hooked. Now that the system had given me something directly linked to it, I couldn't help but be curious.

Setting my fork down, I opened the Lookism Panel.

---

[Lookism Panel]

Available Options:

Low-Level Episode: 50 Credits

Basic-Level Episode: 100 Credits

Normal-Level Episode: 500 Credits

Medium-Level Episode: 1000 Credits

---

The words glowed faintly, but my eyes were immediately drawn to the warnings in deep red beneath the Basic and Normal Episodes.

[Warning: Host is too weak for this episode. Attempting it may result in death.]

And under the Medium-Level Episode, the text was completely black, the word DEATH glaring back at me ominously.

I leaned back, my eyes narrowing at the panel. "Too weak, huh?" I muttered. I glanced at my balance.

[Balance: 300 Credits]

Shrugging, I decided to start small. "Let's see what this thing's got." I said, selecting the Low-Level Episode for 50 Credits.

[Purchase Successful. Balance: 250 Credits.]

The moment I confirmed the purchase, everything stopped.

The cafeteria froze in place, the students mid-laugh, food suspended in mid-air, even the faint hum of the air conditioning halted. The colors around me drained away, leaving everything in shades of gray.

I stood up, looking around in amazement. "What the…" I muttered.

The system's ability was something else entirely. It wasn't just a game or some flashy gimmick. It was real.

Before I could take another step, my feet lifted off the ground.

"Whoa!" I yelped as I began floating, my body rising higher and higher. The cafeteria, the school, the city, they all grew smaller beneath me as I ascended. Faster and faster, I soared into the sky, the earth's curvature becoming visible as I breached the atmosphere.

Space stretched out before me, the stars twinkling in a vast, endless void. I turned my head, and my breath caught in my throat.

A massive wheel appeared, its size increasing until it dwarfed the solar system. It spun slowly, its surface glowing with countless symbols and lights.

In front of me, a glowing button materialized, pulsing faintly as if beckoning me.

I smirked, floating closer. "Alright." I said, rubbing my hands together. "Let's do this."

Without hesitation, I pressed the button.

The wheel began to spin.

----

1167 words.

Suggestions for a low level episode in Lookism where the mc can learn something or fight someone?

I mean low level, the mc is still weak.

If you suggest a moment, please give me the chapter number so i can reread and remember better.

Stones! Comments! And reviews!