Rewind With A Superstar System-Chapter 74: Neighborhood Fan

<🎧 Song Recommendation: Heather by Conan Gray>

...

The cab ride back to Queens was a quiet transition from the manic energy of SoHo to the grounded reality of Astoria.

When the taxi pulled up to the pre-war brick building on Ditmars Boulevard, the sun was already dipping below the skyline.

Von hauled the bags up the two flights of stairs, his above average strength making it easy for him. As expected, the apartment was empty when he opened it up.

"Right," Von sighed, looking around. "Furnish the apartment."

He checked his bank account.

[Current Funds: $20,800]

He had spent nearly ten thousand dollars in a single day! The old Von would have hyperventilated at the thought of that much money being spent on something other than games and food.

But right now, Von didn’t consider it wasteful. Von understood that money was a tool, but that didn’t make the hemorrhaging of cash any less terrifying.

He pulled out his phone and did what any modern American with money and no time would do: he ordered everything online for next-day delivery. A mattress (no frame yet, he’d sleep on the floor like a monk if he had to), fresh sheets, two barstools, a simple desk and chair for his work, and basic cookware.

By the time he hit Checkout on three different apps, another $1,500 was gone.

[Current Funds: $19,100]

"Stop looking at the number," he muttered to himself.

The apartment was silent. It was a different kind of silence than the Star Mansion. That place had been quiet with tension; this was quiet with possibility. But there was one thing left to do to close out the day.

The System notification blinked in his peripheral vision.

[Daily Quest: The Foundation]

[Objectives:

● Push-ups: 100/100 (Completed)

● Sit-ups: 100/100 (Completed)

● Squats: 100/100 (Completed)

● Run: 10km (Pending)]

Von groaned, looking at the window. It was dark now. But he couldn’t skip the Daily Quest, this particular one had a penalty of voice loss for a week and Von didn’t want to try his luck.

He changed into some new running gear he had purchased and hit the pavement.

Running in New York was different from LA. In the Star Mansion, you ran past palm trees and parked cars. In Queens, you ran past life. He weaved through pedestrians, dodged cyclists, and inhaled the scent of street foods on the roadside. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Von was used to the distance, and with his improved stamina, it didn’t take him long to complete the run.

[Daily Quest Completed!]

[Reward: 5 EXP, +1 Stamina Recovery Pill]

Von sighed at the minimal reward he had to work for every day. He was about opening up his door when a voice cut through his thoughts.

"Excuse me?"

Von froze for a while to wonder if he was the only one in the hallway, before looking up.

Standing in the hallway, directly across from his door was a girl.

She looked to be about his age, maybe a year or two younger. She was striking, even under the flickering hallway light. She wore an oversized sweatshirt that swallowed her frame, leggings, and messy hair tied up in a bun.

She was looking at him with a mix of curiosity and confusion.

"Oh, sorry," Von rasped. "I just moved into 2B."

The girl blinked. Her eyes widened slightly as she really looked at him. She just kept staring, eventually opening up her mouth slightly.

"No way," she whispered.

Von felt a spike of panic. ’Please don’t... This can’t be happening.’

"You’re..." She took a step back, looking like she might actually faint. Her hand flew to her mouth. "You’re Von Varley."

Von sighed internally. He forced a polite smile and nodded his head. "Guilty."

"Oh my god," the girl squeaked and ran over. "I... I watched you on TV a week ago. I voted for you! I had to beg my friends to vote for you, too!"

She was hyperventilating slightly. "I can’t believe you’re my neighbor. Wow, I’m your biggest fan!"

"Ah, thanks..." Von was short on words.

"I’m Sasha," she blurted out, stepping forward and extending a hand, then pulling it back realizing she was shaking. "You look taller in person. And hotter," she immediately covered here mouth, "Wait, that sounded rude. I’m sorry!"

Von chuckled and said softly. "It’s nice to meet you, Sasha. And thanks for the votes. Seriously."

"Can I..." She fumbled for her phone in her sweatshirt pocket. "Is it okay if I get a picture? My friends will literally die. They won’t believe me."

Von hesitated. This was among what he wanted to avoid.

"Uh... I can take the picture. But you have to promise not to expose that I live in this apartment with you..."

"Oh god, no!" Sasha looked horrified at the thought. "I promise! I can’t even think of doing that. Your secret is safe with me. Neighbors’ code."

Von relaxed. He only hoped she was being earnest. "Okay."

She leaned in for the selfie, and Von flashed his trademark smirk for her to capture.

Click.

"Thank you!" Sasha breathed, staring at the screen like it was a holy relic. "If you... if you ever need anything, or any help... just knock."

"I might take you up on that," Von said. "Have a good night, Sasha."

"You too! Bye!" She scrambled to get going, almost tripping over her own feet as she unlocked her door and practically fell inside.

Von unlocked his own door and stepped into the darkness of 2B. He locked it behind him, leaning his forehead against the cool wood.

That was close.

He walked into the living room. It was still empty. He didn’t have a bed nor a pillow to sleep on.

Von sighed. He took the bags of new clothes he had bought with Emily and piled them up in the corner of the room. He grabbed the thickest hoodie, rolled it up, and placed it as a pillow.

He lay down on the floor, staring up at the ceiling where the streetlights painted dancing shadows. It was then Von realized twenty-four hours had gone by already.

His mind drifted to the [Inventory]. For the last week, he had been carrying around that strange egg and it had been a bizarre routine, even having to summon it in back of Emily’s van just to feed it a drop of his blood.

He sat up, the anticipation suddenly outweighing his exhaustion. He had a feeling it would be some kind of companion bird. But he could only find out now.

Von opened his palm, and with a familiar shimmer of digital particles, the heavy black egg materialized. It felt warmer than usual, vibrating with a low, rhythmic thrum against his skin.

He brought his thumb to his mouth, biting down hard enough to break the skin. He winced slightly as a bead of crimson welled up, then smeared it across the smooth, dark shell.

The egg absorbed the blood instantly, drinking it in like dry earth soaking up rain.

[Bonding Progress: 7/7 Days]

[Bonding Successful!]

[Incubation Complete. Hatching Imminent...]

Von leaned in, resting his chin on his hand as he placed the vibrating object on the floor. "Alright. You’ve been drinking my blood for a week. Let’s see what I paid for."

As if hearing him, the egg gave a violent shudder.

CRACK.

A large fissure split down the center. There was no goo nor mess. Just a sudden release of black smoke.

The shell dissolved into shadow, revealing the creature inside.

It was small, maybe the size of a six-month-old kitten. But it wasn’t just an average cat. Its fur was pitch black and seemed to absorb the light around it, shifting like smoke in a breeze. Its ears were oversized, tufted at the tips with violet fur. Its tail was long and black, flicking back and forth with a mind of its own.

But the eyes were the most arresting part. They were large, luminous, and a piercing, intelligent violet.

The creature sat up, shook itself, sending little puffs of darkness into the air, and looked at Von.

It blinked.

Von blinked back, wondering why a cat was hatching from an egg. Before he could say anything, the System came alight with information.

[System Pet Acquired]

[Species: Void Lynx]

[Name: (Unnamed)]

[Level: 1]

[Skill: Shadow Morph (B) ]

[Description: The Void Lynx can alter its physical form to mimic inanimate objects, specifically accessories worn by the host.]

[Note: Level up the pet to unlock more skills]

Von stared at the panel, then back at the creature. He didn’t find the skill particularly useful right now, he needed a bed, not a magical bracelet, but he was still wondering how the cat would be able to truly transform. Was it biological or magical?

The Void Lynx stood up on wobbly legs, stretching its back in a perfect arch. It began to prowl around the empty living room, sniffing the air and inspecting the floorboards with an air of aristocratic judgment, as if to familiarize itself with its new surroundings.

It stopped and looked back at Von, tilting its head.

Von offered a hesitant hand. "Hey there..."

<Hey, human.>