Mostly the Usual

The next morning I go about as normal, still unsure of what perks to buy. I kinda want to get a handle of the mechanics I have before adding anything else to it.

I also debate adding Ollie as a second target. He's a good roommate and my best friend, but there's likely strategy to having more targets. Better achievement opportunity, if I had to guess.

The apartment is empty save for me, Ollie works morning shift at a diner, so I take my time with getting ready. Walking from the bathroom to my bedroom in my underwear - or on special occasions, in the nude - after a shower is a little daily pleasure of mine.

I get dressed for work, jeans and a company polo, both only a little splattered in paint. I wave to Maxine as I pass her also leaving her apartment.

My commute is short, and I have my departure timed so I arrive a couple minutes early. Powering up the paint mixer, I complete my morning tasks and start restocking the paint swatches when Ben passes by on his way to clock in.

"Whoa, you're on time!" I can't help but joke as he returns from the break room. "I think Paul owes me five bucks now." He gave me a playful shove, continuing towards the middle of the store. "So what's the occasion?"

"Nothing! I just woke up earlier than usual. Got bored and left to grab a coffee before shift." Ben checked the bins of nuts and bolts, noting the ones that were running low. "And I downloaded a new time management app, trying to get on top of things."

"Pfft fine, boring." I look back towards the paint section, a customer is browsing the swatches. "I gotta run." So Ben has an app too. Must be how he gets my Quests.

A few paint cans later, I get the chance to check my phone.

Benjamin Mills completed a Quest! Reward granted!

Punctuality I: +20% travel speed for appointments (hidden: small compulsion to make and keep plans)

Doesn't seem so hidden to me, but it probably doesn't show up on Ben's app. Now that he's finished that one I can give him another Quest.

'Ask a coworker if they need help' (3xp)

Reward: 1 favor from that person

I'm watching Ben as I submit the Quest. He stops in place, pulls out his phone to check it, and then looks around before smiling and heading towards me. "Hey, Drew. Need a hand with anything?" He leans across the paint desk casually.

"Yeah, actually. Could you grab me some half gallon matte bases? 5 or 6 cans should do for now." I turn my attention to the customer that just walked up as Ben heads to the back. "Hi, how can I help you?"

The shift goes well, paint isn't the busiest section so I get plenty of time to help in the other departments. I'm sweeping the lumber department (always a good way to look busy) when my phone alarm goes off to take a break.

Opening the app, I check Ben's profile.

• Target : Benjamin Mills
• Gender: Male
• Age : 27
• Level 2 (1 / 10 xp)
• Class : None
• Perks : Punctuality I
• Perk Points : 1

Target Growth (5xp): Have a target level up for the first time

I don't have anything in particular in mind for a next Quest, but checking out my perk store gets me some ideas. Picking up a perk should open more achievements as I use them.

Having only one Target and three slots at the moment means the extra target slots aren't an immediate need.

There's the options of upgrading the perks for Quest creation and reward generation that will give me a bit more control. Class Designer would give my Targets better xp gain so long as I give them relevant Quests.

Public and Target Unawareness are very interesting. Their descriptions seem to imply that the app does more than just push tasks with placebo rewards. I couldn't understand what the Character Editor perks do if that wasn't the case.

I could always add another Target as well, if I wanted to. Ollie is the natural choice, I was already thinking about it. Or maybe Maxine, or that Lucille woman.

I should probably get back to work, don't want to get in any trouble for slacking. I pick a perk to buy and close my phone.