Chapter 2

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So, let's write down: point one - buy earplugs.

I seemed terribly tired, but I got so much sleep in six hours that I lay staring dumbly into the bars of the upper bed at dawn. Then I realized, jumped up, and rushed to wash my face. Indeed, a lot of people, only two toilets, the realities of a cruel world. So and tried to catch up everywhere, until suddenly I found myself on the street, briskly pacing to the subway. Not a cab waiting, no, that was beyond our means, working people! To the subway, to the depths, which is symbolic!

And already there I began to make a plan.

The first point is earplugs. The second is a sleep mask. Third, a towel, and stuff like that. Otherwise, I'll grow a beard and a crust of dirt in a week. No tips for such a deliverer, so I have to take care of myself. Besides, whoever disregards the rules of the dormitory and actively smells, gets beaten up. Like that man last night...

So, at the same time, I need to understand this "system" of theirs. Understandably, the calculation is for students, game motivation, and other crap, but the thing about any system is that it can be hacked! That's why manual control is more profitable - one of the pearls of wisdom of the daddy.

How am I supposed to hack this particular system, given that every courier... Okay, let's be realistic - every twentieth courier, the rest are fine, have thought about it?

While they were pushing me, rubbing against my sides, trying to move me, and snorting indignantly when they failed, I studied the app. It was glitchy to the core because some of the functions were available but then turned off dead. I should have gone into slavery to the yellows or the greens, this system is obviously new... On the other hand, is that why they pay more?

yellows or greens - These are the colors of the two most popular delivery systems in Russia.

Just as long as they have money left on their staff after all these games.

As a matter of habit, I went into the waiting room and was surprised to find that at eight in the morning there were already a lot of people there. Then I remembered that I was no longer a job seeker, but a hired staff, and my waiting room, or whatever it was, was the seventh one. I had to go outside, walk in circles around the entire building, then swear and study the phone. Fortunately, the address popped up in the suddenly working app.

Soon you won't be able to go to the bathroom without the app, you'll get lost!

Finally, the right entrance was found.

It's just an ordinary pickup point. I've seen them many times. In pictures on the Internet.

The racks stretched along the wall, number one on the left, number two... behind number six was a curtain of plastic strips. As I pulled them apart, I stepped inside.

Aha.

There were far fewer people here. Only five people per thirty meters of space, but what a bunch! If I lived in a soap opera, it would obviously be a comedy. There was Brute, half-lounging on a bench embedded in the floor; opposite him by the window Abstinence was shivering in a messenger's cloak; next to the empty counter Clever Boy was actively scrolling on his phone; in the corner, the Old Man was lurking with a natural paper newspaper.

And, of course, in the center of the hall sat blowing a bubble of gum Tomboy.

Now, if I understand it correctly, they have Fatty.

Well, that's not a bad deal. Because if Tomboy is not the main character's girlfriend, but is taken for comic relief, then I might get something of her in the finale, on the credits. Although, of course, I'll have to put up with her politically incorrect jokes for ten episodes - that's as usual.

"Hello, folks!"

Four heads turned toward me, and only the Old Man shot his eyes at me obliquely.

"Where do they give out the bags here?"

Everyone nodded at the counter at the same time. Well, that's what I thought.

The storekeeper, slightly unshaven for the past two weeks, was a relative of Abstinence, or at least an ideological associate of his. Too bad, with a staff like that, there'd be less order. The racks behind the storekeeper's back were separated from the hall by the same plastic canopy, and it was impossible to see anything.

Trying not to get caught in the exhaust, I still have to talk to people, I just turned to him a picture of the supposed reward and raised my eyebrows questioningly.

"Give it."

He nodded hintingly at my phone but didn't take it, just held the "temperature gun" over the screen. Then he ducked behind the curtain - I couldn't see anything again. And almost immediately he came back out.

"Accept. Check the box that you have accepted the gift."

No further proof was needed, but what was the need for it in the age of technology?

The bag was slightly different from the standard boxes. Black... or gray... or bright green... Damn, it was some kind of plastic with overtones. In short, I got a pretty good device, no shame to walk around town. The size is also quite compact, but the straps are wide and solid back. In fact, the whole bag looks more like a soldier's rucksack of the old days than a messenger bag, I even knocked on the wall, inquiring:

"Bulletproof?"

The storekeeper did not support the joke.

"Up to twenty millimeters. Once."

And immediately he ducked behind his curtain.

After rummaging through the app, I found the "system man" and poked him in the back with my finger. The picture immediately enlarged, and I could see that there were plenty of slots for equipment. What's more, the status bar above his head blinked, and "courier, B2" changed to "courier, B3". Well, that's more interesting.

A quick check showed that the list of available orders changes depending on the equipment. Clearly, here you need to earn points, for which you will be given the damn things you don't need, which you equip on the man, and then more orders will open. Carrots are hung in front of your nose in abundance, run and collect.

Another check kind of hinted that Big Brother was watching me because as soon as I stepped away from the bag a meter away, the entire "B3" order panel disappeared. Sending a picture of her and walking around lightly wasn't going to work, but I wasn't going to. No, honestly I wasn't. Well, almost.

My colleagues watched my study of the new condition with mild interest. Deciding that they would not leave me, but the profitable orders might, I quickly flipped through the list. The one in the general section was not surprising: orders were appearing and disappearing, chosen by more agile workers, some were hanging motionless. I have to remember, if others do not take, then I should not. Worse, there were practically no bonuses in the general section, and you can only buy "equipment in the system slots" with them. But even for the cheapest "ring of businesslike inconspicuousness" you have to grind around for a week.

However, I could take a "guaranteed order package" available for "B2-3," which would allow me to fill up that same ring in a couple of days. Besides, the money was better, too.

Having made up my mind, I spoke into the air: "Okay, I need to hit fifteen calls today. How hard is that?"

The Brute responded: "The level of difficulty is "god". I don't take more than one a week."

"And what, enough?"

"I confirmed my qualifications, and that's fine."

He lazily moved his feet: "Don't be in a hurry to run, better to sit for the mandatory, here in the hall."

"They won't kick me out?"

Everyone grinned in unison but did not continue the conversation. Apparently, they hacked the system in their own way - they found a way to get the minimum wage without doing anything. No, that wouldn't work for me, I'd have to raise the money in a week.

I can't endure more than a week in a hostel.

How about buying a used tent and sleeping in the park outside of town? I guess I'll leave that as an option. Well, sooner you sit down, I mean, waiting for an order, sooner you get out of the humiliating shackles of poverty. There's nothing to do anyway, so why not work?

I resolutely ran my finger along the options, chose nothing, and scrolling at random, I poked at the flickering stripes.

Combined package - two system quests and thirteen deliveries!

The quests are from the "B" system list, delivery is usual. Normally, judging by the rewards for the quest I will get enough bonuses, not to refuse the same. Especially since refusing the offer removes the points. Ooh, bloodsuckers, traps everywhere! Okay, the package deal is even better. I have nowhere to hurry anyway, but it's an hour... Suppressing a sad sigh - how tired I was of being poor! - I firmly pressed "I accept".

I was immediately awarded ten points for going to work. Nine hundred and ninety more and I'll get a bonus! For the bonuses, I would get profitable orders, for which I would get more bonuses, for which I would do, even more, for which I would get even more - more, more, more, muahaha-ha-ha! Free-to-play in the delivery industry. There's a generation growing up that identifies everything with games!

Sadly reflecting on the downfall of morals, I raked the bags the storekeeper had placed on the counter into my bag and headed for the exit. Brute, who sat sprawled across the bench, inquired with interest:

"Rookie, are you going for meat just like that?"

"Yeah, I need the bonuses."

"Rest in peace, bro."

Ha-ha, very funny.

"See ya!"

I didn't listen to what they told me. Anyway, with my role in the show, there is nothing pleasant. And the order is heavy and the packages are cold. Surely the meat is just out of the fridge. I should carry it quickly before it leaks - I have one bag, I need to be careful.

Already on the subway, I began to study the system quests more closely.

The standard version looked like this: You have a quest available - to pick up an item, take an item to ... blah, blah, blah... The condition is not to die on the way. The pawn is all accumulated points of the System or an immortal soul.

They're jokers, man. Yesterday I drove flowers to the penultimate order, and it was mandatory to sing "happy birthday" at the delivery. They didn't tip me, slammed the door halfway through the verse, and said, "I'm singing falsely". And here they were getting the soul!

Here in this "quest with meat" there is a mandatory condition - you must strictly follow the route, for deviation - again, minus bonus points. I would try to check how strictly everything is fixed, but not on the first day. Take care of reputation from the start, then you'll get tired to re-roll a char.

"Careful, the doors..."

I picked up the bag from the floor, surprised at how much lighter everything seemed in it. That's what it means to have the right volume and wide straps; yesterday I cut my hands up with bags. By the way.

Pointing the lens at the familiar-looking link after a brief moment of deciphering, I admired the "stats" of the item:

Courier bag (bonus, personal, B3)

Allows you to move large orders.

Opens access to system quests and missions.

Reduces shipping weight by #;%*?

The range is one meter.

Such plotters should be killed. I wanted to go home right away, and to hell with the job.

The bag was a "green item" and the program expectedly glitched on the "weight reduction" size. I bet it's not a bug, but a deliberate feature, not to give specific numbers. All designed for yesterday's schoolchildren who are more used to games than life. If you say "courier bag" immediately wrinkle their noses. Say "backpack with weight relief charms" and everyone immediately "gives me two"!

Humans are so controllable.

After entering another train wagon, I decided to return to reality. I tried to find a better place to stay than mine, but all the time either the pictures looked too suspicious, or the contact information. The reviews were terrible - they were drunk there, the place had been renovated under communism, there were bedbugs...

Brrh!!! I've read about bedbugs, and I've killed one or two in some games, but I don't want to meet one in person. Gotta keep me safe somehow. My hostel, as it turned out, wasn't the worst option, so I got on the phone and booked my bunk with the money I had left. A week, Marik, you only have to work for a week! That should be enough for a room! I don't care if it's the worst, as long as it's my own!

The phone buzzed, the app showed "The Quest Begins!"

First, it is necessary to go up the right-hand escalator, which is now off. Then go out the middle door and move to the left, making sure to pass between the pillars of the billboard.

God, what am I doing?

Turn into the courtyard, walk along the windows. That was the hardest part, because the entryway I was going to was immediately visible, and walking straight ahead made more sense. There must be some kind of covert surveillance, which is why the conditions are so stupid!

There is a silver lining to everything, though, because as I walked past the dumpsters, I stopped and pulled out a large can from a nearby box of used household chemicals. "Bugskiller" is a pretentious name. It's a no-name, but... yeah, here's "cockroaches, ants, bedbugs"! The second day of life away from home and already scavenging. And where to go?

What, you say impossible to carry groceries and household chemicals in a bag at the same time?

Well, sorry about that.

The little freebie lifted my spirits a little, even the dreary demands to "stop for thirty seconds between the fourth and fifth floors" didn't seem so idiotic. You're the boss, I'm the fool. I'm the boss, you're screwed.

And I will!

Riiiiiing!

While the door was rattling, going back and forth, and unlocking the deadbolts with a clang, I unloaded the bags. I shook the can again, and randomly sprayed it on the wall. No, it smells good, like toilet deodorant. And the splashing inside is not at all at the bottom, almost a full one is thrown away. I don't think my roomies would kill me for it.

"How did you... kha kha kha!"

When I realized that I had an allergic client, I acted quickly.

"Delivery-thank-you-thank-you-have-used-all-the-best!"

I slammed the front door already, and then sped briskly through the yard until they caught up with me. The bleeping of confirmation caught up with me on the street, and I was glad to see the alert.

Quest completed, you received 200 System points.

A ring costs a thousand. And on top of the points, I just paid for a night and the use of the washing machine! One more order, I'll have something to eat and iron my clothes on, and the rest will go to the "happy single existence" fund.

The day starts off great!

However, things were going well after that, too. I decided that the second quest with its stupid requirements could be postponed because there was no strict deadline, so I began the usual delivery. With the bag was more fun, time after time I went to another store or cafe, loaded packages, wandered where the card says, handed it over, returned. It was a dull routine like I was pumping out my tenth character on my account. The second day of work, and already sick and tired - how have people like this for years to go to work? So Brute gets one order a week... Maybe he's like me, his parents are strict?

It occurred to me that I could somehow give myself a higher rating. For example, I could order delivery and make it myself, while tipping from one of my work wallets. Two days and I... Nah, you can't fool my daddy like that.

And the system? Order something and do it yourself? Probably won't work, either. I don't know how the orders for the system quests are chosen, so stop stalling and get to work. The sun's still high... oh, no, it's evening. That's what happens when you spend most of the day in the subway.

I was surprised to note that I hadn't eaten anything all day, except three liters of water. I bought some pies and opened the system quests tab. I'm good and intuitive - it turns out that if you make more regular deliveries, then even add bonuses for the quests! And I already have such solid overwork. That is, tomorrow night I can redeem the ring, go to "B4", and there plus ten percent to the guaranteed payment. True, only for those quest packages, which are from fifteen orders per day, an incentive for full-time workers, but I just do not have to hurry. If the increase adds up, by the end of the week I could be earning a third more!

No, bullshit. No one just parted with the money like that.

I took the quest order from my seventh counter; there was no one in our room anymore, and in general, it was empty. Now and then, yawning, I unloaded the tinkling bundle into my bag and staggered toward the subway. My feet, my feet hurt and hurts. At least my sneakers were good, they would last me a week for sure. Well, the day passed, the time was not wasted. I've watched five episodes of the series, three episodes of the ongoings, a total of seventeen chapter updates in the ranobe. There were an awful lot of orders taken. Fourteen working hours on their feet, and no one is forced! By myself, all by myself.

Human are their own worst enemy!

I looked through the orders on my favorite resource, and with longing looked at one - just for me! Now I would like to have a computer, a table with goodies on the right, a tray with tea and coffee on the left, headphones on my head, a microphone under my nose, stream and quietly beat someone's rating or reputation to pump...

I was pushed on the right and cursed on the left. Well, yes, I'm big, I take up a lot of space.

"Next station..."

Maybe I should buy a bike. I don't like them, it hurts to fall off them. Or run home to get my license? But how to do it safely?

As usual, as soon as I thought of my mother, she called. Most surprisingly, she didn't offer to convince me to give up the bet, only to persuade me to be more careful and circumspect. I was so sullenly acquiescing, I even forgot to ask about the license. Well, well, anyway, I do not want to go to the cab. There are no soap operas to watch, and all the time people behind me. Brrh.

Where else is there a daily payout? Webcam is not an option! Everything else is twice a month. Not an option.

This time the conditions of the quest were not so crazy. Just to walk first three hundred meters to the right, then three hundred meters to the right again, then three hundred meters again... And I came out to the same crossing that I had passed ten minutes before. Apparently, so that I had a ritual square outlined in my maps? All communities practice ritualistic pounding of employees. The army is into drills, programmers are into rallies, and couriers draw patterns s on the map of the city.

I did not find the right door at once, the orientation photo was taken in the daytime, and now even without a flashlight, the iron visor with the semicircular "Children's Art House" was lost in the shadows. In addition, the bell did not give anything, no one answered, had to knock on the door with his fist for a long time, finding a place where the booming was the most resounding. Finally, they opened the door for me. The client stared first at me, then at the box with its jingling contents, and nodded.

"Brothers, the knives have been delivered!"

And then, from behind his back, came a tearful sound: "Help! Help! They're killing me!"

I glanced at the faded sign to the right of the door: Theater of alternative performances

Gotcha.

"Rehearsing?"

The client jerked his head: "Y-yes, rehearsing."

Suddenly someone yelled behind him, then there was the sound of a chainsaw starting up and a triumphant shout: "Now you will feel it!"

The box was ripped out of my hands, the door slammed shut with a clang, and then something began to rattle behind it as if they were really trying to see through it. There was something noisy about them. And people are living in the house!

*Buzzz*

That's it, the quest is over, I can go to a hostel.

I was tired. Even more than yesterday. This work just drains my energy! Just like any other job.

The hostel receptionist greeted me almost cordially, took my money, even chirped something about "how was your day". I smiled politely aside, then thanked her for her service, clarified the prices, and wandered off to the kitchen. Not to eat, but to wash; these skinny brats can wear the same T-shirt for three days, but people started crawling away from me yesterday.

Then I ironed it: not because a messenger has to look good and blah blah blah, but there's no place to dry it. It turned out pretty good; my dad trained me for the army, and in theory, I know how to iron my clothes, even by lying on them with a mattress. But the beds here are the wrong system. The men sitting next to me did not pay attention to me, and I did not listen to their work problems, and judging by the fact that no one fell on the floor with laughter, I did it more or less correctly.

As I pulled the curtain, I finally remembered that I had been working all day for the money and checked the application. Yes, it was paid in full, twice as much as yesterday. I had to buy sports pants because wearing only underpants is somehow not cozy.

Sport pants with three lines, an alcoholic tank top, and learning how to squat.

Combined delivery is complete!

You did a great job, bonus points are awarded!

Bonus points can be spent in our store!

There are exclamation points all over the place. For the sake of curiosity checked the assortment, not enough for jewelry to upgrade status, but it is possible to exchange it for cash. Yeah, right - pay only when closing the next package, and less than if you take a package with B3! Invented to weed out the greedy and stupid, that is, for potential permanent employees.

*Buzzz*

I jumped up. Wow, did I fall asleep sitting down? What have we got here?

Evaluation of quest performance...

Summable Beginner's Bonus...

The prize box is available.

Apply your nose...

I applied my forehead, then my finger. My knee didn't work either. After trying almost every part of my body, I was convinced that it didn't work. I gave up, poked my nose.

There was another flicker and a bunch of multicolored sparks:

The award is received:

The item - the key to special assignments.

The item - deliverer scanner.

It's all bullshit again.

I habitually put the phone under my pillow, listened to the screams from the next room, plugged in my earplugs, and fell asleep with determination.

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