The next day, Leo arrived at Apex Fitness — one of the most exclusive gyms in Koreatown. The building was sleek and modern, all glass and black marble, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a stunning view of the city skyline.
He walked in wearing a simple black tank top that clung to his sculpted physique. His broad shoulders, thick chest, and veined arms were on full display. Heads turned the moment he entered. Men sized him up. Women's eyes lingered.
He used to dream of places like this. Now he could actually afford it.
All the discomfort from yesterday faded as he stepped inside. He walked straight to the reception desk, where a tough-looking man in his thirties stood checking a tablet. The guy had a neatly trimmed brown beard and a rough but handsome face.
The receptionist glanced up and did a visible double-take. A small, surprised smile formed on his lips.
"Welcome to Apex Fitness," he said warmly. "How can I help you today?"
Leo nodded. "I'd like to join. Can I see the membership options and what's included?"
"Of course, sir." The man turned the tablet toward him and began explaining the tiers.
Just as Leo leaned in to look, the System screen materialized in front of him.
[Long-Term Quest Activated]
Quest Name: The Wealthy PersonaObjective:
Build and maintain the public image of a wealthy, influential client.
First Milestone: Take the highest membership option available without showing any sign of stinginess.
Leo nearly coughed up blood.
You screen bastard… when have I ever been stingy?
The System remained silent.
The receptionist noticed his expression. "Sir, are you alright?"
Leo recovered quickly and nodded. "I'm fine. I didn't expect the prices to be this low."
The man blinked, genuinely surprised. "Low? This is one of the most premium facilities in the area. We offer everything — personal coaching, nutrition plans, recovery services…"
Leo didn't bother checking the rest. Since he needed to build his persona, he pointed directly at the top tier.
"I'll take the highest one. The $5,000+ per month package with full coaching, nutrition, and recovery services."
The receptionist's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly composed himself with a professional grin. "Excellent choice, sir. Would you like to pay monthly or yearly?"
Leo scoffed lightly, as if the question itself was ridiculous. "Yearly, of course. Who bothers paying this measly amount every month?"
The man smiled awkwardly. "Of course, I understand."
As Leo swiped his card, he could feel his hand trembling slightly, spending tens of thousands of dollars on a gym membership without blinking — something he had never dared to dream of before. Damn, all my savings....
The payment went through.
The man stood up. "Please follow me, sir. I'll show you everything your package includes."
Leo walked alongside him as the receptionist gave a full tour — the private training zones, the advanced equipment, the luxury locker rooms, the recovery spa, and the premium juice bar. As they reached the main training floor, the man called out. New chapters come out on g.com first.
"Madison, come here for a second."
Leo turned.
His breath caught for a moment.
A woman with striking magenta-pink hair tied in a high ponytail walked toward them. She wore a tight, glossy purple long-sleeve zip-up top that hugged her massive breasts and a matching pair of form-fitting leggings that accentuated her toned legs and curvaceous hips. A few drops of sweat glistened on her collarbone as she approached.
Maybe spending a fortune was worth it after all…
The receptionist gestured toward Leo. "This is our new client, Leo Cross. From now on, you'll be taking care of everything he needs."
He leaned in and whispered quickly to her, "Be extra careful. The guy just dropped 60k without blinking."
Madison gave a knowing nod and held out her hand, confidence evident in the easy curve of her smile.
"Hey, I'm Madison Cooper. Nice to meet you."
Leo took her hand, his grip firm. "I'm in your care."
Madison's gaze openly traced his refined muscles and chiseled jaw. She let out a light laugh.
"I doubt that," she teased playfully. "You look like you already know what you're doing."
The three of them shared a brief laugh. The receptionist excused himself with a nod and left them alone.
Just as Madison was about to speak again, a deep, confident voice cut through the gym noise.
"Well, well… Madison, who's the new face?"
A tall man in his late twenties strolled over. His designer clothes couldn't hide the soft belly he carried with surprising pride. Black hair was slicked back, a thick gold chain rested on his chest, and an expensive watch gleamed on his wrist. He wore tight shorts that left little to the imagination, clearly wanting the world to notice.
This was Kai Nakamura — one of Apex Fitness's most notorious VIP clients and the son of a prominent real estate developer.
Madison's face tightened with clear discomfort. "Kai, this is Leo Cross. He just joined today on the Diamond tier."
Kai's eyes flicked over Leo, sizing him up in a single, dismissive glance. A small, arrogant smirk tugged at his lips.
"Diamond tier, huh?" he said in a mocking tone. "Did you take out a loan for that one?"
Others might have missed it, but Kai didn't. He noticed Leo's simple tank top, the low-brand shoes, and the lack of any flashy accessories. A poor bastard bluffing to be our equal, he thought. Dream on, kid.
Madison's expression grew tense. Everyone knew how arrogant Kai could be — a pervert who loved taking advantage of others. Just when she thought she'd finally have a normal guy, he had to show up.
"Kai, thi—" she started.
Leo raised a hand, cutting her off. His voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it.
"I don't need to show off by wearing my daddy's money. Now leave before I decide asking politely was a mistake."
Kai's face turned red with rage. "You lowlife—"
Before the situation could escalate, Madison stepped between them.
"Stop it, Kai," she said firmly. "You shouldn't make comments like that and expect people not to talk back."
Kai glared at her. "Madison, you're defending him?" New chapters come out on g.com first.
"I'm not defending anyone," she replied coolly. "I'm just saying you were out of line." She turned to Leo. "Leo, let's go. We shouldn't waste any more time."
Leo gave Kai one last mocking smirk before following Madison.
Kai stood there, fists clenched, face burning. "You bastard… just you wait."
Madison led Leo through the gym, showing him the advanced equipment and private training areas. As the session progressed, she found herself stealing glances at his body. The way his muscles flexed during pull-ups, the definition in his shoulders and back — it was a far cry from the usual rich clients who were often soft, arrogant, and full of themselves.
After an intense hour, Madison walked him toward the exit, a faint flush still on her cheeks.
"You saved my number, right?" she asked. "Call me before you arrive next time. I'll book your slot and make sure everything is ready."
Leo nodded. "I'll definitely call you. See you soon."
Madison watched him leave, biting her lower lip slightly.
Leo walked back to his old silver Honda, the midday sun warming the parking lot. A small, satisfied smirk played on his lips.
He knew provoking Kai was asking for trouble, but he had done it deliberately. A true wealthy man didn't swallow insults quietly — he pushed back. If it really became a problem later, Leo could always handle it in the dark, the way he knew best. For now, imprinting the right image was more important for the quest.
Just as he reached the car, the familiar dark-blue holographic screen materialized in front of him.
[Long-Term Quest: The Wealthy Persona]
First Milestone Completed!
Rewards:
$10,000 (untraceable deposit to your account)
1 Lucky Draw Ticket
Leo's feet stopped dead in their tracks. His eyes widened.
"Ten thousand dollars…" he whispered, voice cracking with disbelief. "Just like that…"
A breathless laugh escaped him. Just yesterday, he was worrying about paying off his credit card bills, and now the System had casually dropped ten grand into his account like it was nothing.
He shook his head, still stunned, and got into the car. He sat behind the wheel for a moment, letting the reality sink in. Five thousand dollars. Real money. Money he had earned simply by acting the part.
"System, you didn't take my previous words seriously, did you?" he muttered with a grin. "Haha, I was just joking…"
As expected, the System gave no reply.
Leo started the engine, the smile never fully leaving his face as he drove home. For the first time in a long while, the future didn't feel like an impossible mountain.
When he finally stepped inside the house, he checked the time on his phone. It was still early afternoon.
His thoughts drifted to Jennifer. She and Roy had agreed to meet this evening. Leo's expression darkened slightly, but the hunger inside him stirred with dark anticipation.
The game was moving faster than he expected.
/c/DevilsWhisper