From Thug To Idol: My Celebrity Hunter System

Chapter 6: Price For Attention

Chapter 6: The Price of Attention

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the cracked blinds, landing squarely on Jonny's face.

His eyes slowly fluttered open.Before he could even stretch, a familiar blue screen greeted him.

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Host: Jonny Saint

Rank: Unawakened

Level: 1

Fame Points: 10

Attention Rank: Nobody

Skills:

• Friendly Presence Lv.1

Main Quest: Become Recognized by 100 Unique People

Progress:1/100

Time Remaining: 4 Days 11 Hours 46 Minutes

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Jonny couldn't stop smiling.

"Ten Fame Points..."

He whispered the words to himself as if they were a lottery jackpot.

It wasn't much but they were his.

His first proof that the System actually worked.

He climbed out of bed with far more energy than usual.

"Maybe changing my life isn't impossible after all from just another nobody from a thug to only God knows what the future hold." He thought to himself.

As he brushed his teeth, an idea suddenly struck him. His eyes widened.

"...I'm an idiot." He quickly spat into the sink. "I've been making this way harder than it needs to be."

The System remained silent.

Jonny grinned confidently. "If helping one person gave me ten Fame Points..."

He grabbed his backpack. "Then.... I'll just help ninety-nine more people!" He laughed to himself.

"Quest completed, Easy.."

Jonny practically skipped down the sidewalk.

Today he was going to become a hero and his first target appeared almost immediately.

An elderly security guard stood outside a convenience store, struggling to move several heavy cartons.

Jonny hurried over. "Need a hand?"

"I'd appreciate it." The old man smiled.

Within seconds, Jonny had stacked every carton neatly inside the shop.

"Thank you, young man." The man said.

"No problem." Jonny stepped back. He waited.

Three seconds, then five seconds and ten seconds.

Nothing happen no notification, no chime no Fame Points.

"...Huh?" He waited another minute.

Still nothing.

"System?" He called out.

[Awaiting Host Query.]

"I helped him."

[Correct.]

"Where are my Fame Points?"

A brief pause followed.

Then another window appeared.

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Attention Analysis Complete

Interaction Quality: Ordinary.

Recognition Stability: Low.

Reward: 0 Fame Points

-------------

"...Zero?" Jonny blinked. "But yesterday..."

[Yesterday's interaction possessed greater emotional significance.]

"What does that mean?" He asked.

[The individual genuinely remembered you.

This interaction is unlikely to leave a lasting impression.]

"So..." He frowned. "I have to do something memorable?"

[Correct.]

"...Fine, I'll just help more people."

The System said nothing. Over the next hour, Jonny became a one-man volunteer service.

He picked up litter held open doors, helped a cyclist whose chain had slipped. Returned a dropped wallet and even so much as helping a businessman retrieve papers that had scattered across the street.

Each time he waited eagerly but still nothing.

Zero.

Zero.

Zero.

Zero.

By the time he reached the warehouse, his excitement had completely disappeared.

He slumped against the employee lockers.

"...This System is broken." He said.

[Correction. The System is functioning within expected parameters.]

"No... You are." He added. "I've practically become Employee of the Month before clocking in."

The System displayed another notification.

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New Tutorial Unlocked

The Price of Attention

--------------

"Finally." He said as he crossed his arms "So explain."

The blue window expanded.

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Rule One: Attention possesses value only when it is authentic.

Rule Two: Repeated behavior loses effectiveness.

Rule Three: Attention intentionally manufactured for personal gain produces lower-quality Fame Points.

"...I don't get it." Jonny replied after reading the rules twice.

The System answered immediately.

-----------------

Example One: If an individual sincerely thanks you...

High-quality Attention Energy is generated.

Example Two: If you intentionally repeat the same action solely to gain Fame Points...

The emotional value decreases.

-----------------

"So..." Jonny scratched his head. "The System knows my intentions?"

[Affirmative.]

"...That's creepy."

[Correction, It is efficient.]

Jonny sighed. "So if I keep helping people, he value gradually diminishes even if they're different people?"

[Correct.]

His eyes widened. "What?"

[Predictable actions produce predictable attention. Novel experiences generate stronger impressions.]

"So..." Jonny slowly leaned against the locker. "I can't just grind Fame Points forever."

[Correct.]

"What if I help the same old lady every day?"

[First interaction: High Value.

Second interaction: Reduced Value.

Repeated interactions: Minimal Value.]

Jonny buried his face in both hands.

"You've thought of everything."

[System abuse prevention protocols are mandatory.]

"...You actually expected someone to try this?"

[Probability: 99.98%.]

"...Fair enough." He responded.

Just then, whistle echoed through the warehouse. Work had begun.

Boxes rolled down conveyor belts, forklifts buzzed between aisles. Jonny quickly got to work.

Far away, inside a heavily fortified skyscraper bearing the emblem of the Hunter Association, a strange crystal suddenly pulsed with an unfamiliar blue light.

A technician frowned. "Director..." He added. "The Anomaly Detector just activated."

An elderly man looked up from his paperwork.

"Location?"

The technician swallowed.

"...Sector Seven."

The Director's expression darkened.

"...Impossible.. "Nothing should be awakening there."