Modern Day Talisman Crafter

Chapter 2: What Did I Just Do?

Adam sat in his narrow house, the faint sounds of the city outside doing nothing to ease his nerves. On her weathered coffee table lay the paper ornament she had made the night before – the thing that saved her life.

System messages just float in the corner of his vision, only he can see. He tried to push them, covered his face and shouted at them, but they were still stubborn.

Unplugged aliens. Work, Adaptation, Life. >

Adam cried. "Newbie, right? What's the next level, don't die of stress?"

His fingers tapped the table as he looked at the glossy text. The older man told Kim Manor, simply asking Adam to "stay out of trouble" before pushing him out. It's easier to talk when the magic system is in your head.

All morning the same thought kept running through his mind: I have to do this.

tests

"Okay," Adam waved his hands. Let's see what this system does.

At the corner store he bought a small piece of paper and a set of telephones. Not just first-class items, but everything he could get his hands on. He cleared a spot on the coffee table and called up the map menu.

Several symbols and patterns floated before his vision, most of them grayed out with the annoying label "SMOOTH". Only a few basic options were available:

Speed​​

"Okay, magic paper plane, let's do it."

He copied the pattern with the correct movements, guided by the system's commands. When he finished, the spell burned.

Create the first speed word (down). Use it in inanimate objects things to increase speed >

Adam laughed. "It seems to have worked."

The experiment was simple. He cast the spell on his old machine and turned the knob. The result was immediate - he shot forward with surprising speed, and laughter echoed through the streets.

Happiness made him think.

Days later, Adamu parked his motorbike on a busy street near the city's market. The place was bustling with activity - food stalls, street artists and vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to watches and fake designs. It was the perfect place to mingle.

He set up a small folding table, a cardboard sign on it:

"Happiness and beauty: top quality!"

The task was to keep everything in order. He has wrapped each ornament in a small origami-like shape - birds, stars and cranes. To everyone, it's just a decorative paper craft.

First a confused old woman approaches. "What's so special about these?"

Adamu just laughs. "Good luck Maori. They help with the little things - faster, stronger, safer. Five dollars each, three dollars for ten!"

The woman looked at him blankly. But her desire grew stronger, and she gave him three ten-dollar bills.

"Show me how they work for you," Adam called after her.

His first real purchase.

until evening, Adam had sold about twenty witches. Most of the customers didn't seem to believe his words, and they saw that it was a small novelty. But some came back, looking wide, and asked if he had any more.

"Do you have any? I slipped on my bike one time on the way home!" The man shouted as he waved a protective face at Adam.

Someone whispered, "This fast...my delivery is done in a short time. Is there anything else?"

The conversation began.

Like the day Adam became less and less satisfied. The money in his pocket was not much, but it was more than he had received in weeks.

So he saw two men looking at him from the other side of the road. They had rough looks, leather jackets and dirty talk—members of the local game, judging by the tattoos.

Adam's stomach twisted. He put his bag on his shoulder and walked towards the motorcycle.

"Hey, Paper Boy!" One of them shouted, running to get him. "You bought the 'glasses', didn't you? I heard that, right?"

Adam had to laugh and keep his voice clear. "No, it's just a good luck charm. you know, for fun

Another person teased. "Don't be silent. You're mowing our lawns. Magic is work. Give us your stuff, maybe we won't turn a blind eye to you."

"Tauke?" "I don't run a warehouse here," Adam replied.

The first man grabbed Adam's shoulder, feeling the slop. Adam pulled a whole bottle out of his pocket—a quick-sucking slushy—and stuck it into the robber's chest.

the impact was immediate. The man was thrown back as his movements became erratic and his legs shook. He cried out as he slid down the walkway, hitting a pile of boxes.

"What?" the man shouted

Adam was unsteady. He locked up, jumped on the motorcycle, and revived. He hit the Speed ​​​​Talisman on the handlebars again, and the motorcycle shot forward like a rocket.

=

Adam returned to his apartment, running away in fear. He knew he was attracting attention, and it wasn't a good look.

"Okay, new rules,"

he muttered to himself. "No more public heroes. Be quiet."

The system beeped softly, as if responding:

New disabled quest found: remain anonymous during creation. Bonus: Skill Boost. Punishment: Demonstration. >

Adam didn't. "You have to make fun of me"

But as he sat looking at the remnants of the speakers on his desk, a small smile crossed his face.

This is bad.

This is crazy.

So is it true? He seems to love her

Cliffhanger: Adam's phone buzzes with a new alert: a message from an unknown number.

Anonymous: "It's a wonderful day, let's talk. "Rae"